Power Crisis Deepens in Bhatkal as Residents Struggle Amid Unscheduled Outages
Unreliable electricity supply and delayed repairs leave people frustrated during peak summer heat
Bhatkal, like many parts of coastal Karnataka, is currently facing intense summer heat. However, for residents, the bigger challenge has been the ongoing power crisis, with frequent and unpredictable electricity cuts making daily life increasingly difficult.
The power supply company HESCOM had earlier stated that repair work would be completed by April 24. But even by April 27, the situation has not improved. In fact, outages have become more frequent, and there is still no fixed schedule for when electricity will be available. Residents say authorities have not provided clear answers.
Whenever power goes out, people check their phones for official updates from HESCOM. Ironically, messages often arrive after the outage, stating that restoration will take several more hours. These messages are sometimes accompanied by images of repair work, which many residents now view with frustration rather than reassurance.
The situation became especially severe on the night between Sunday and Monday. Power went out around 9:30 pm and briefly returned after 1 am for just a few minutes before going off again. It was only restored properly much later. In the meantime, people struggled through the night in hot and humid conditions. Even those with air conditioners were left helpless without electricity.
Many residents described the night as unbearable, with some spending hours in discomfort, unable to sleep. Despite the hardship faced by the public, there appeared to be little urgency from officials to address the issue quickly.
Locals say that a long term solution lies in restoring the 110 kV substation on Sagar Road. During a recent visit, HESCOM Chairman Syed Azim Peer Qadri mentioned that legal issues were delaying the project. However, despite repeated appeals from local groups and social workers, there has been no significant progress.
Residents are now growing increasingly frustrated. With rising temperatures and constant outages, everyday activities are being disrupted. Many are questioning how long they will continue to be given assurances without real improvements.
People in Bhatkal are no longer satisfied with promises. They are demanding a stable and reliable power supply, especially during the peak summer season.