Shangla Hit by Worst Power Cuts as Businesses and Daily Life Grind to Halt

SHANGLA: The worst load-shedding and unannounced power outages have begun across Shangla district. Outages have exceeded five hours, badly affecting business activity and bringing daily life to a standstill.

In upper areas, prolonged outages become routine with the onset of cold weather. Small traders suffer the most, as they do not have solar systems, generators or other alternative sources of electricity.

The district generates more than 85 megawatts through two major dams and supplies it to the National Grid, while its own overall requirement is between 4.5 and 6.5 megawatts. According to local residents, dam construction badly affected the local hydropower system, and hundreds of small water mills became non-functional after the water supply was disrupted.

A power cut that began at 11am on Thursday was not restored until 3pm. WAPDA officials have offered no clear explanation for the cause of the outage or the timing of its restoration, and calls to the relevant officials have gone unanswered.

Local residents have demanded that the federal energy minister and WAPDA officials immediately exempt Shangla from load-shedding and prolonged unannounced outages, in line with its local needs. They say that agreements and assurances made to the local population during dam construction have yet to be implemented.