Bhubaneswar: Amid mounting public anger over unannounced power cuts during the ongoing heatwave, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Friday attributed the disruptions to excessive power demand and transformer overloading caused by soaring temperatures.
“The kind of heatwave we are currently experiencing is beyond anyone’s control. During peak heat hours, electricity demand rises sharply as more and more air conditioners are being used. As a result, overloading occurs and transformers burn out,” Singh Deo said while responding to growing complaints from across the state.
He, however, assured that efforts were being made to restore supply at the earliest. “We are making arrangements to restore power as quickly as possible. We are trying our best to ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers,” the Energy Minister said.
For the past several days, severe heat coupled with prolonged and unannounced power outages has made life difficult for people in many parts of Odisha. Residents have complained that frequent disruptions have left them struggling both indoors and outdoors amid the scorching weather conditions.
Consumers have alleged that despite repeated complaints, authorities and power distribution companies have failed to address the issue effectively. Public resentment has intensified in several areas, with people staging protests and demanding an end to unscheduled power cuts during the peak summer season.
The situation has also raised questions over the implementation of assurances made recently by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who had warned of strict action against unannounced power cuts and promised uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply during summer.
Despite the Chief Minister’s directive, power disruptions have continued in many areas, triggering criticism from consumers who allege that distribution companies have ignored the government’s warnings.
