Srinagar, July 1: As temperatures soar across Kashmir, residents of Srinagar are grappling with relentless power cuts that have worsened amid an ongoing heatwave. The frequent and unscheduled electricity outages have affected nearly every part of the city, forcing people to endure unbearable heat during peak hours.From Tengpora and Rawalpora to Hazratbal, Downtown, Gojwara, Nowgam, Padshahi Bagh, Chatterhama, Safakadal and Nowhatta, complaints are mounting over erratic supply, low voltage and a lack of communication from authorities.“Earlier, we faced occasional cuts, but now it’s happening multiple times a day without any prior notice,” said Shoaib Ahmed, a resident of Safakadal. Danish Bhat from Hazratbal shared similar concerns. “It’s impossible to live like this. The heat is already unbearable, and the erratic power supply only adds to our misery.”Several locals pointed out that the installation of smart meters has not brought any improvement in reliability. “We were told smart meters would reduce outages and improve efficiency, but nothing has changed,” said Rizwan Sofi of Nowgam. “Our bills have increased, but the power remains as inconsistent as before.” Suhail Bazaz, a resident of Rawalpora added: “We are being charged heavily, yet we get less electricity than ever. It feels like we are paying more for less.”The situation is even more critical for those with medical needs. “My mother depends on an oxygen machine that runs on electricity,” said Shahnawaz Matoo, a resident of downtown, Srinagar. “The frequent outages put her life at risk.”Frustration has also grown over the lack of public communication. “Earlier, at least we received alerts before long cuts,” said Basit War from Tengpora. “Now the power goes without any warning and returns at odd hours.” A senior official from the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted to the issue. “The demand for electricity has surged due to the heatwave. We are doing our best to manage the supply, but there are limitations,” the official said. He added that power demand in J&K has reached around 3,000 megawatts, with over 1,350 MW required in Kashmir alone. “We are currently supplying more than 2,800 MW across the region, but demand still outpaces availability,” he said. While officials say efforts are underway to improve supply and reduce outages, residents remain sceptical, saying the situation has worsened despite infrastructure upgrades and higher tariffs. Until tangible improvements are seen, the people of Srinagar continue to endure the double burden of rising temperatures and unreliable electricity, hoping that relief arrives before the heatwave worsens further.
