Frequent power outages

Kashmir valley is reeling under severe cold  with the arrival of  40 day long Chillaikalaan. The temperature has plummeted to a record low this year, breaking three decade record. According to experts the continuous dry spell this year with low precipitation has compounded the problem and has led to drop in temperature. The global climatic changing pattern is also attributed to the unprecedented drop in temperature during winter and increase in average temperature during summer.

Weather experts have also attributed the intense cold wave in Kashmir to the La Niña effect, which leads to harsher winters and increased precipitation. During the phenomenon, the surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean cool, disrupting atmospheric circulation patterns and resulting in extreme weather conditions worldwide. With  the severe cold around, the people of the valley are subjected to immense hardships.

With the advent of technology when every thing in our homes is dependent on electricity, the frequent power outages have added to the hardships of the public. The patients who require oxygen supply regularly at home suffer very badly in the absence of regular power supply.

At a time when people of the valley are already facing many difficulties, the electricity scenario in the valley is worsening particularly during this harsh winter season which has added to the woes of the public. The installation of smart metres and the hike in electricity dues has evoked public criticism.

Majority of the population  particularly in the rural areas are facing frequent power cuts. As the demand of the electricity increases in the winter season with the usage of heating electric gadgets, it becomes the responsibility of the government to improve the electricity supply and upgrade the allied infrastructure so that the hardships of people are minimised to some extent. The Power Development Department must stick to the electricity schedule particularly during the peak hours when electricity is most needed. At the same time it becomes the responsibility of the public to make judicious use of electricity so that the problem of load shedding is reduced. Over the years there has been a significant improvement in the power infrastructure and augmentation of receiving stations and transformers to meet the public demand under different schemes, but at the same there are still many far flung areas where electricity infrastructure is very poor.

People should also avoid the over usage of electric heating gadgets which consume more electricity. People should co-operate with the Power Development Department in order to streamline power mechanism.

During the winter season, particularly in the Chillaikallaan, the government should purchase the additional electricity as the demand increases during this period. Let the government act positively and take effective measures and provide uninterrupted power supply to the people in this harsh winter.