Uttar Pradesh is facing significant power cuts amid an extreme heatwave, with temperatures reaching between 45 and 46 degrees Celsius across various regions. In Lucknow, residents reported prolonged outages, particularly during the night, leading to severe discomfort during peak heat hours. Many have taken to sitting outdoors or on rooftops, attempting to find some relief with hand fans while grappling with the impact on their daily lives.

The electricity shortages have disrupted not only daily routines but also the water supply, as electric motors are rendered non-functional during outages. Locals claimed that they frequently received varying explanations for the interruptions when contacting utility officials, citing technical faults that seemed to change daily. This has left many feeling frustrated and helpless amid the oppressive heat.

For vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly, the situation is particularly dire. One resident, Poonam Jaiswal, dealing with health issues aggravated by high temperatures, expressed her struggle to manage household chores without a reliable power supply. She has appealed to the Chief Minister for swift intervention to restore normal electricity services.

Issues Across Ghaziabad and Kanpur

Residents of Ghaziabad have similarly expressed discontent, citing frequent tripping and low voltage issues amidst the ongoing heatwave. Reports indicate outages lasting up to five hours across several localities, affecting thousands and compounding the struggle for water access. Officials attributed these disturbances to overloaded transformers and other technical faults, affirming that efforts were being made to rectify the situation expediently.

In Kanpur, the power cuts are hindering business operations, particularly along the bustling 80 Feet Road. Traders and venue owners reported significant challenges during functions, as many relied on electricity for cooling systems and basic lighting. With rising costs for diesel generators, operational expenses have threatened their livelihoods, prompting businesses to question the timing of maintenance activities that coincide with peak operational hours, instead of off-peak times.

Bookstore owners have raised specific concerns regarding humidity in the absence of proper cooling, which jeopardises their inventory. The ongoing outages have not only affected their sales but posed a threat to the quality integrity of their merchandise.

Widespread Complaints from Other Districts

In Prayagraj, residents voiced their frustrations over repeated power cuts, especially during nighttime, with officials denying widespread outages but acknowledging stress from overloaded systems. Many people found the high nighttime temperatures unbearable without cooling, and the complaints around the nature of these interruptions reflect a broader community disturbed by unreliable electricity supply.

In Varanasi’s prominent bullion market, jewellers reported that the lack of consistent power has adversely impacted their precision-dependent work, affecting their ability to maintain product quality. Frequent outages disrupt operations and have led to claims of substantial revenue loss, with artisans highlighting the urgency of a reliable electricity supply for their crafts.

Meanwhile, residents in Mathura and Gorakhpur conveyed their distress over unpredictable power timings, leading to difficulties in coping with soaring temperatures. In both regions, long outages and erratic supply schedules have worsened the plight of locals, many of whom are struggling to stay cool and hydrated.

Energy Department Responses to Power Supply Issues

The Uttar Pradesh energy department has asserted that the state achieved record electricity supply levels recently, as claimed by State Energy Minister AK Sharma. Despite the challenges reported on the ground, Sharma noted that the state provided unprecedented peak supply levels. He stated that disrupted supply results from various local faults and assured that teams are actively working to address those issues, aiming for improvements in service delivery throughout the ongoing heatwave.

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