RAWALPINDI: Hours-long power loadshedding added to people’s woes as Saturday saw temperature touching 40 degrees during the day. However, gusty winds and overcast later in the afternoon provided some relief.

The worst affected areas in the twin cities were localities around Noor Khan Airbase and Islamabad Expressway. Shah Khalid Colony, Faisal Colony and adjoining areas faced frequent loadshedding on Saturday.

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) officials, electricity was switched off more than the normal schedule to avoid any mishap due to the gusty winds.

The maximum temperature on Saturday was recorded at 40 degrees.

Gusty winds, overcast in afternoon breaks heat spell

Meanwhile, the Met Office had predicted mainly hot and humid weather in most parts of the country, and very hot in central and southern parts on Sunday. Dust/thunderstorm-rain (with isolated hailstorm) has been forecast in North East Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. As for the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, hot and dry weather is expected, with dust-raising/gusty winds in the afternoon.

The meteorological department official said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country.

The most affected by the electricity suspension were students.

Candidates appearing in intermediate exams were inconvenienced due to the hot weather coupled with power loadshedding.

Excessive electricity loadshedding has started in June; one can imagine how the situation would be in July and August,” said Khalil Khan, a student in Nayar Colony.

“We have installed Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) device but the battery gets exhausted within three hours,” he said.

“It is difficult to study without electricity. I am appearing in the examination and I have to charge batteries of my laptop and mobile phone,” said Hamza Raja, a university student.

Khalid Ahmed, a resident of Media Town, said people had to face a lot of problems due to unannounced loadshedding. “In summer electricity vanishes just like gas does in winter,” he added.

“Water shortage has hit the cantonment areas as suction motors run on electricity,” Mohammad Jamil, a resident of Westridge-III said.

“People are already reeling under high cost of daily-use items, and with water and electricity shortage, their lives had become miserable. The government had made tall claims to provide relief to the common man but it has failed to do so,” Mr Jamil said.

Iesco spokesman Raja Asim did not respond to the queries despite repeated attempts to contact him.

On the other hand, some Iesco officials claimed that in summers, transformers develop fault due to consumer burden, which was why electricity was suspended.

They said people turned on air-conditioners, room coolers and other appliances with the advent of summer which added extra burden on the supply system.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2023