People agitate as heat wave prompts power cuts in UP

Soaring day temperatures and an acute power crisis continued in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday for the fifth consecutive day.

The mercury touched a new high of 47 degrees Celsius in the state capital, while Allahabad was the hottest place in the state with 48.3 degrees Celsius. Banda was a close second with 47.6 degrees Celsius.

“There is no likelihood of any change in the heat wave conditions for most part of the coming week,” J.P. Gupta, the regional Met director, told

IANS .

The unscheduled power outages across the State have aggravated the situation.

Recurring faults like low voltages, overload and burning of transformers have added to the woes to the common man, forcing people to take to the roads and protest.

At many places, powermen have been held captive by mobs and power stations have been attacked.

The daily power supply in many villages is about 2-3 hours, while the towns are getting 10-12 hour power supply.

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited said the power situation was not likely to improve in the near future.