In Tamil Nadu, people have been facing severe hardship over the past few days due to continuous power cuts and outages lasting for several hours, with no way of knowing when electricity will be restored.
The power cut problem has been ongoing in Tamil Nadu for the past few months. In particular, over the last few days, people have been complaining that many areas across Tamil Nadu are experiencing power cuts.
Especially at night, people say there are power cuts lasting for hours after 10 p.m., leaving them unable to sleep and causing great distress. People have also been expressing their frustration on social media, where comments about the power cuts can be seen.
Electricity Minister Nirmalkumar said that, due to the stoppage of wind power generation, there was a power shortage for two days, and that this is a shortage prevailing in most states, with the electricity needed by Tamil Nadu being purchased from the general supply. However, power cuts continue to persist in Tamil Nadu.
Recently, when Minister Sengottaiyan was holding a press conference, there was a power cut, and when CPM state secretary P. Shanmugam was speaking at an event, there was also a power cut, both of which drew a lot of attention.
It is noteworthy that people in areas including Nellai and Vikramasingapuram staged a protest holding torches due to continuous power cuts.
If the power outage itself is one problem, no one knows when electricity will be restored. When people call the local electricity board office, in most places no one answers.
In Kerala, if the electricity is to be cut off, a 'text message' (SMS) is sent to the mobile phones of those with an electricity connection well in advance, about an hour or two earlier. The message says, 'There will be no electricity connection from this time to this time on this date.' Even if the power cut is for just an hour, they send a text message. If the power cut is canceled, a message is sent for that too. This helps people plan ahead. It also helps protect the electrical appliances in the house.
However, in Tamil Nadu, for monthly maintenance, a text message is sent only when there is a 'full-day power outage' to the person in whose name the electricity connection is registered.
If it is a power outage for a few hours, it is said that in cities including Chennai, only people in certain areas receive the 'message'. But they say that messages do not come at all times when power outages occur.
In Tamil Nadu, power cuts have been occurring frequently over the past few days, sometimes even two or three times a day. At times, the power outage lasts for several hours. Due to the repeated outages, people in many areas are taking to the streets to protest.
On the official X page of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), they post about “which areas are facing power outages and for what reason.” However, they do not post about all areas there. There is also no information on when power will be restored.
Because of the repeated power cuts and not knowing when electricity will be restored, people are facing severe hardship.
From now on, if there is a power outage in Tamil Nadu, the government should take steps to inform people in all parts of the state in advance through 'text messages'. Even if the outage is due to an emergency, a message can be sent saying, 'When will power be restored?'. Based on that, people can make alternative arrangements. This will also prevent people from contacting the electricity board.
As complaints continue to arise that electrical appliances are getting damaged due to frequent power cuts, informing people in advance about outages would be of great help, and at least the items in the house can be protected!