KOHAT/SWABI: Prolonged power cuts in parts of Kohat and low voltage and power fluctuations in Swabi area created problems for the residents.

While people in Kohat city also faced severe water shortage those in Swabi had to face losses due to damage caused to the instruments because of power fluctuations.

In Kohat, long intervals of power cuts in parts of the district since Friday night made life miserable for the people in hot weather besides causing water shortage in the city on Saturday.

The people had also planned a strike against Pesco at Canal Road to protest loadshedding.

The power supply remained suspended on OTS Road and in Sangerh area due to which the overhead tank could not be filled by tubewells, hampering the water supply.

Complain of water shortage, damage to appliances

The manager operations of Water Supply and Sanitation Company, when contacted, said that there was no power on Friday night therefore water could not be pumped to the tank. Answering a question, he said that water would now be available on Sunday.

Meanwhile, there was also a problem of unscheduled power cuts on Bannu road, Dhodha road and rural parts.

The electricity supply remained suspended in rural areas and some parts of the urban localities due to rain from 11am to 5pm on Saturday.

In Swabi, the consumers claimed that they had suffered heavy losses as precious electronic instruments in their houses were damaged in Maini union council due to power fluctuations and low voltage.

Talking to this correspondent, the consumers complained that the incident occurred when Pesco suspended power supply, saying that a technical fault had developed in Right Bank grid station, Tarbela Dam.

When power supply was resumed after two days, the voltage was low and as the people switched on the instruments such as water pumps, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc they were burnt.

Showing his affected instruments, Salahuddin told this correspondent that he had suffered losses as his one refrigerator, air-conditioner, two stablisers and one water pump had been damaged by the power surge.

Other area people also complained about damage to their electronic appliances. Javid Khan claimed that the officials concerned had said that they were conducting an experiment, but they could not inform the consumers.

The affected consumers said that they would file a writ petition against the Pesco staff to claim compensation for their losses. The consumers said that electricity supply was stopped at 10:30pm and restored at 7:30am.

The people of Gadoon Amazai region also complained about prolonged power outage.

In Lower Dir, the residents of Shalkandi Darra in Jandol on Saturday demanded of MNA Bashir Khan of PTI and MPA Bahadar Khan of ANP to intervene in the issue of power supply to the area from the Samarbagh express line and ensure its restoration without any delay.

The demand was made during a meeting of the Munda action committee which was addressed by Malik Nazar Khan, Rohullah Shakir and others.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2020