Power cuts leaves people shivering in cold, add loses to business’
The Newz Radar
Dharamshala: After first spell of snow , regular power cuts have added to the woes of people in lower part of the Himachal Pradesh in Kangra and Chamba districts. A population of about 20 lakhs resides in this area and most of the community is relying on small businesses. Electricity department stated out that cuts are due to overloading and disruptions of power cables due to snow.
Doctors have issued warning to the infants and the old age people to take necessary precautions in these harsh winters. But power cuts have added to the woes of the people as temperatures in hill destinations here is reaching minus 1 degree Celsius during nights.
Worst sufferers are the patients under treatment at their local government health centers, school going children, old age people and small entrepreneurs.
Yogesh Kumar, who deals in taxation matters at Kangra town, stated that from last two they are unable to do business as power cuts have left everyone in lurch. “Even power backups are also not working for computers and internet functioning” he said.
Another person who runs a car washing center also stated that they are unable to carry on business in this condition with routine power failures.
“We have to leave vehicles in middle of the process of washing and vacuuming due to the power failures, it is adding to work and reducing daily income” said Arun Kumar owner of such center at Chamba.
People dealing with perishable goods like sweets, ice cream, milk and other eatables also claimed losses due to power failures. Even hoteliers and restaurant owners are perturbed of this problem.
When contacted, officials in electricity said that department is not making any power cuts but it was due to the snowfall and overloading at some points that has aggravated the problem.
“In parts of Chamba, at Pangi and Bharmour the snow has disrupted the power cables. While at urban areas, sometimes due to overloading that power failure occurs. But repairs are on and things will be restored” they said.
Department is facing a crunch of field staff also, during winters people switch to heating equipments which adds extra load to the power cables resulting in heating up of the same. It also results to shot circuits at many times.
