Chilai Kalam, or the great chill, is the start of the harshest winter in Kashmir. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature has dipped to minus 5.6 degrees, but it is the long unscheduled power cuts that’s making the winter really unbearable for ordinary people. In most parts of the Valley, people are facing 10 to 12 hour power cuts every day.
“Unfortunately we are really under darkness. Can you imagine, we are facing power cuts up to 12 hours daily,” said Ajaz Ahmad, a resident of Tangmarg in Baramulla district.
With endless power cuts, it’s the traditional ‘Kangri’ or firepot that’s helping people keep warm in the bitter cold.
“The firepot has become part of our life. It keeps us warm – it’s our life and we offer Kangri to tourists,” said Ghulam Mohammad, who runs a Shikara (boat) at Dal Lake.
In Kashmir, the demand for power goes up during the winter. The power department, which cannot cope up with the demand, blames power theft and illegally tapping electric lines for the blackouts.
“While we are supplying 1,200 MW still we have to go for 35 per cent curtailment because of unrestricted demand which has now touched 1,700 MW. It’s because of pilferage and booking,” said Bashir Ahmad Khan, chief engineer, power department.
Jammu and Kashmir has a potential to generate over 20,000 MW of hydro power but Kashmir is facing perennial power crisis – while the power department is blaming people for the crisis, it’s the common man who is suffering in bone chilling cold.
