In 45-plus heat, residents battle long hour power outages

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When the temperature touches more than 45.5 degrees Celsius the least residents expect is electricity so that their fan, AC or cooler can operate. But when they are deprived of this basic necessity, life is difficult in some claustrophobic and cramped flats of Delhi, including Okhla.

With temperature peaking at 46.5 degrees Celsius, the highest recorded in the Capital over the last 11 years many residents are finding it hard to sleep at night time as power cut has become the norm in the last few days.

Abul Fazal Enclave resident, Salma Jahan, who resides in a small and cramped flat, said she and her children couldn’t sleep whole night yesterday as power played truant. “There was no power the whole night and with temperature at its peak it was a horrid night.”

Other residents too complain of regular power cuts. Nakshab Khan said in the last few days the power situation in the locality and the whole city has gone from bad to worst. “The government should have provided 24X7 electricity during summer. These days, power cuts are taking place for long hours. If this is situation in Delhi just think about what must be happening in small villages and towns.”

A large part of the city is reeling under power and water cuts. With the Met officials predicting no respite from heat, many residents are left with little option but to purchase inverter so that at least at night time they could take a full sleep.

Waris Mazhari said the power situation is getting bad with each passing day. “I have inverter so I don’t feel the heat. But I know that things must be really difficult for many residents in the area. Power cuts are increasing.”

This summer is turning out to be the toughest one in many years for residents. On Friday commuters had to brave oppressively hot winds. The minimum temperature was 31.2 degrees Celsius, four degrees above the normal.  

Electricity officials have put the blame for long hour power cuts on short circuits and tripping of circuits in Okhla and Mehrauli. Also, unauthorized constructions are being attributed for long hour power cut.