KARACHI: Amid an unprecedented heatwave, Karachi residents are facing severe power outages, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 50°C and sea breezes coming to a halt.
The intense heat has exacerbated breathing difficulties and added to the distress caused by prolonged power load-shedding. Despite directives from the Sindh government and the Karachi commissioner to reduce load-shedding during the heatwave, K-Electric has continued extensive power cuts, leaving residents without electricity for 10 to 12 hours daily.
The power utility company claimed that 71% of feeders are exempt from load-shedding, but many areas, including Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, North Karachi, New Karachi, Surjani Town, Liaquatabad, Keamari, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Mehmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, Korangi Crossing, Shah Latif Town, Bhains Colony, Quaidabad, PIB Colony, Baldia, Saeedabad, Ittehad Town, Pathan Colony, Banaras, and Orangi, still suffer.
Residents report escalating electricity bills, with some homes receiving charges as high as Rs30,000 to Rs50,000. A spokesperson for K-Electric stated that scheduled load-shedding is limited to 10 hours, denying any unscheduled power cuts.
The persistent power outages have forced residents to seek medical aid for heat-related issues. Calls for immediate government intervention to reduce electricity prices and end unscheduled load-shedding have grown louder as the city continues to endure one of its hottest periods.
