Tiruchi reels under frequent power outages amid rising demand in summer

Tiruchi faces frequent power outages amid rising summer demand, causing frustration and inconvenience for residents across multiple localities.

Residents across several parts of Tiruchi have been grappling with frequent power fluctuations and unscheduled outages over the past few weeks, causing inconvenience.

Localities such as Palpannai, Kattur, K.K. Nagar, Karumandapam, Edamalaipatti Pudur, Crawford, Ponmalai, and surrounding areas have been particularly affected. Residents report repeated voltage fluctuations during late evening hours, often followed by sudden power cuts lasting 30 to 45 minutes.

Many residents claim the issue had become a daily occurrence, disrupting routine household activities. Apart from load shedding at night, power cuts were being enforced during the afternoons, typically between noon and 4 p.m.

While scheduled maintenance shutdowns are usually announced in advance, these unexpected outages had raised concerns among the public. Consumers had complained about persistent voltage fluctuations, which render appliances such as air-conditioners unusable and pose a risk of damage to electrical equipment.

Residents had expressed frustration over lack of response from the electricity board complaint lines, especially at night.

“We have been encountering frequent power cuts in the last few days, especially during the afternoons,” says M. Rani, a resident of K.K. Nagar. She says the power supply usually took over an hour to resume.