As temperatures continued to rise ahead of an expected heatwave, the threat of load shedding crept throughout the country, leaving homes and businesses in the dark.
Citizens in urban areas reported outages lasting 6 to 10 hours, while those in rural areas — including those inside the service area of high-loss feeders — reported outages lasting 8 to 16 hours.
No part of the country was spared the blackouts.
“Since Wednesday, the duration of loadshedding has gone up to eight hours or more in Lahore; four to six hours in the day and two to four hours at night,” deplored a resident of Lahore’s Johar Town locality.
Another Khanewal resident claimed daily loadshedding lasting 12 to 14 hours.
Residents in the Sukkur division reported that no one was accessible to file their complaints. “It’s becoming worse for individuals who are fasting,” he explained.
According to sources, the current demand-supply gap is rapidly growing due to a decline in thermal power output caused by a significant lack of gas and other fuels.
“With increasing temperatures, the total shortfall is ranging between 7,000 to 8,000MW, and it may surge further if the hot and dry weather persists in the coming days,” a power official told.
