Winter woes begin early: Kupwara grapples with erratic power cuts

Kupwara, Oct 14: Residents of Kupwara district are facing erratic and prolonged power cuts even before the onset of winter, disrupting daily life and leaving people frustrated.

Residents across Lalpora, Sogam, Warnaw, Kalarose, Khumriyal, Main Town Kupwara, Trehgam, Kralpora, Karnah, Tanghdar, Drugmulla, Nagri, Kandi, Vadhpora, Kawari, Natnusa, Maidan Chogal, Gund Chogal, Magam, Vilgam, Tarthpora, Hangikote, Sirajpora, Sunmula, Main Town Handwara, Upper and Lower Rajwar, Mawer, Upper and Lower Qaziabad, and Kralgund reported frequent and unpredictable electricity outages over the past ten days.

Residents say the situation worsens in the evening hours, creating difficulties for families, businesses, and patients dependent on medical devices.

“When only a few hours of electricity are being supplied at the start of winter, one can imagine how severe the situation will be at the peak of the season. Even patients reliant on oxygen concentrators suffer due to the irregular supply,” former BDC Chairman Langate Showkat Pandit told Greater Kashmir.

He added that despite assurances that the augmentation of Arampora and Vilgam receiving stations would ensure adequate power for the district, the promised improvement has not materialised.

“The people of Kupwara often feel neglected by the authorities. Nothing has changed despite the announcements,” he said.

District Development Council Chairman Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpori, said that erratic power supply has long been a problem in the district, which intensifies during winters. He stressed that unless the gap between supply and demand is addressed, residents will continue to face severe inconvenience.

People have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for urgent intervention to ensure a reliable electricity supply in the district ahead of the harsh winter months.