Srinagar, Nasir Aslam Wani, a leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, has voiced strong criticism against the increased power curtailment schedule in the Kashmir valley, stating that the rise in outages is exacerbating the difficulties faced by residents during the winter.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Wani, in a statement issued in Srinagar, highlighted that power outages have reached new extremes in recent months, leading to increased winter hardships for the people. He questioned why authorities failed to anticipate the dip in water discharge in dams and did not arrange for additional power purchases from the Northern Grid, holding them responsible for the crisis.

Wani pointed out the administration’s failure to acknowledge the prolonged dry spell, leading to a critical shortage of water for hydroelectricity generation. Despite assurances from authorities, the situation has worsened, resulting in prolonged periods of darkness across the region. This has led to significant disruptions in various sectors including business, education, healthcare, and has adversely affected the overall quality of life.

The valley’s residents have been struggling with severe unscheduled power outages, particularly in the last few days. Complaints have surged as the electricity situation has deteriorated, with metered areas receiving only 14 hours of electricity per day instead of the promised 20 hours, and non-metered areas facing even more erratic power supplies.

A resident from Srinagar expressed frustration over the increased power cuts, especially during evenings when electricity is most needed. He noted that despite having smart meters installed, the area is experiencing multiple hours of power cuts throughout the day.

The ongoing power crisis is not a new issue for valley residents, but the current winter has brought unprecedented challenges. With Chillai Kalan, the harshest winter period in progress and temperatures dropping below freezing, the intensified power curtailment is making life particularly difficult for people, especially in rural areas of the southern and northern parts of the valley.