Karachi plunges into darkness, yet again

Published July 12, 2015
A major technical breakdown at Bin Qasim thermal plant resulted in power blackout throughout the city up till Gharo. —Reuters/File
A major technical breakdown at Bin Qasim thermal plant resulted in power blackout throughout the city up till Gharo. —Reuters/File

KARACHI: A major part of the metropolis plunged into darkness again late on Saturday night — third such instance in a week’s time — as there were reports of a technical breakdown at Bin Qasim thermal plant, it has been learnt.

K-Electric sources revealed that due to the technical fault at Bin Qasim thermal power plant, more than 15 grid stations on the main supply line tripped resulting in power blackout throughout the city up till Gharo.

This is the third major power breakdown in the city in a span of one week, which happened due to a major fault that occurred in the transmission and distribution system of power distributor K-Electric.

The outage has affected a large number of areas in the city, including Liaqatabad, Malir, North Karachi, Azizabad, Saddar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Federal B Area and Garden.

There are reports that power supply to Port Qasim, Pakistan Steel Mills and industrial areas were also suspended.

The power breakdown also affected commercial activities of the city with business centres and markets turned dark, and people facing difficulties making their way out of densely populated shopping malls.

K-Electric did not give any timeframe when their engineers would fully rectify the fault.

People in various localities faced hardship because of the widespread breakdown that caught them unawares, particularly at a time when Ramazan’s final days have begun and preparations for Eid are round the corner.

Karachi’s electricity distribution system is a complex, and delicate, web and a major fault at one section often leads to chain reactions and breakdowns of power generation and transmission.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...