Karachi — when the city of lights went dark

Published July 8, 2015
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power breakdown. – Reuters.
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power breakdown. – Reuters.
Homeless people sleep on a bridge during the power cut. – AFP
Homeless people sleep on a bridge during the power cut. – AFP
Men sleep on a street in the early morning to escape the heat during a major power breakdown in Karachi, July 8, 2015. A K-Electric spokesman said that almost half of Karachi fell into darkness after the main power line from Bin Qasim power plant tripped on Tuesday evening. – Reuters
Men sleep on a street in the early morning to escape the heat during a major power breakdown in Karachi, July 8, 2015. A K-Electric spokesman said that almost half of Karachi fell into darkness after the main power line from Bin Qasim power plant tripped on Tuesday evening. – Reuters
A general view of a market with shops powered by generators. – Reuters
A general view of a market with shops powered by generators. – Reuters
People sleep on a van during the power cut. – AFP
People sleep on a van during the power cut. – AFP
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – AFP
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – AFP
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
A restaurant worker makes tea during the power cut. – AFP
A restaurant worker makes tea during the power cut. – AFP
This photograph taken early July 8, 2015, shows the effects of a power cut on Karachi. Pakistan faces an annual electricity shortfall of around 4,000 megawatts in the peak summer months of June and July when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) in the country's centre. – AFP
This photograph taken early July 8, 2015, shows the effects of a power cut on Karachi. Pakistan faces an annual electricity shortfall of around 4,000 megawatts in the peak summer months of June and July when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) in the country's centre. – AFP

KARACHI: A large number of city localities plunged into darkness on Tuesday night as a major fault occurred in the transmission and distribution system of power distributor K-Electric (KE).

According to KE officials, a conductor on the main 220KV transmission line failed, causing the extra high tension line to trip. This caused a ripple effect and units at Bin Qasim power plant tripped in turn, plunging most parts of the city in darkness.

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