PESHAWAR: Prolonged and unannounced power outages across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have badly disrupted daily life, with residents facing hours-long load-shedding amid scorching heat and ongoing monsoon rains.
From Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Charsadda to Dir, Swat, Kohistan, and DI Khan, citizens reported power cuts lasting 8 to 14 hours a day. The situation is worse in rural areas where electricity remains suspended for 16-18 hours with no prior schedule.
Students, shopkeepers, and patients say the outages are making life extremely difficult.
Online classes and exam preparations have been hit as internet and power both remain unreliable.
Markets and small industries are suffering losses as generators and UPS systems cannot run for long hours due to high fuel costs.
Healthcare centers, especially in remote districts, are struggling to keep emergency services and equipment running.
The outages come at a time when KP is experiencing heavy rain, humidity, and 40°C+ temperatures. With fans and cooling systems off, families are forced to spend nights without electricity.
In several areas of Peshawar and Mardan, residents also complained of low voltage and tripping that damages home appliances.
PESCO officials attribute the crisis to high demand, transmission line faults due to rain, and unpaid dues. They say load-management is being carried out to avoid damage to the grid.
The company has also cited rain-related faults and safety shutdowns in several districts after recent storms and windstorms.
Citizens have demanded that the government and PESCO announce a clear load-shedding schedule and exempt hospitals, schools, and mosques during prayer times. Protest demonstrations were also reported in parts of Lower Dir and Mansehra over prolonged outages.
With monsoon rains forecast to continue in KP until July 23, residents fear the power situation could worsen further due to technical faults.
Read also:Citizens took to the streets in Charsadda against unannounced and prolonged load shedding in Charsadda
