Bandipora villages hit by prolonged power outages

Srinagar, Mar 19: Several areas in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district are facing a prolonged power crisis, with residents reporting erratic supply, frequent voltage fluctuations and unscheduled outages over the past few days.
The outages have affected multiple areas, including Nadihal, Nusoo, Arin, Gamroo and Ajar, with residents saying electricity has become irregular and unreliable.
Locals in Nadihal said power supply has remained inconsistent, with some claiming there has been no proper electricity for the past two days. “The supply is highly erratic, and voltage keeps fluctuating,” a resident said.
Similar complaints have emerged from Bandipora town, where people said extended power cuts are disrupting daily routines. Residents in Nusoo said there is no fixed schedule for electricity supply, adding that the uncertainty has affected both household work and professional commitments.
The crisis has also impacted students preparing for examinations and those dependent on online work, as well as patients requiring continuous care. “Frequent outages are affecting our productivity and routine activities,” said a group of local youth.
In Arin and adjoining areas, residents alleged that even minor faults in the system result in long hours of disruption. “Small technical issues lead to extended outages,” a local resident said.
Residents of Gamroo said the installation of smart meters has not improved the situation, with some claiming that power cuts extend up to several hours daily.
The issue has drawn more concern as the disruptions come during the month of Ramadhan, when electricity demand remains high for Sehri, Iftar and night prayers.
Residents said repeated complaints have not yielded any significant improvement in supply and urged authorities to take immediate steps to restore normal electricity services.
When contacted, an official from the Power Development Department (PDD) said the matter would be looked into. (KNS)