Post by rabeea on Jun 6, 2010 15:28:21 GMT
As part of my study tour, I had gone to a goth in Dadu, and was to return today (June 6, 2010).
Late last night news started coming in TV channels that there have been power outages in Karachi,
I had no idea how bad it was until I drove into Karachi at about 1 p. m. today.
As I drove through to DHA where I am staying, all through the way I could see evidences of the power outage, which was massive, and so far as the KESC should be concerned, shameful.
Generators were buzzing all around as I neared my uncle's home in Phase 2. I learned that the area had been hit a bit after 1 a.m., while half the household was still awake. When a complaint was made to the KESC helpline they were told that "hamaray paas kisi major fault ki update nahin hai, aap thora sa wait kar lein, 15 - 20 minute mein area normal ho jaye ga"
In DHA Phase 2 power was restored after 6:30 p.m.
I had reached home after 2:00 p.m. and the area had already been without KESC electricity for over 12 hours.
One of the first things that I did after reaching home was ring up 118. I could not connect for about 20 minutes.
When I did get through, the first thing I said to the the person taking the call was that I had been trying for 20 minutes. He told me that ALL of Karachi is calling, there has been major fault, so there is an overload on their helpline board.
I said when the KESC knows it gives so much cause for complaint to Karachi people, why doesn't it add more lines and more operatives at the Response Centre?
He told me didn't have time for chit-chat, I should be talking about whi I had called in.
I told him I was in DHA Phase 2, and there had been no power for the past almost 14 hours.
He said "aap thorra wait kar lein, saara Karachi isee haal mein hai, expected eik ghanta mazeed hai, area normal ho jaye ga"
There was no power after 1 hour. I called again. After trying for about 10 minutes the call got through. I was again told to wait another hour.
I asked why was it taking so long. I was told that it was raining and the KESC people cannot work when it is raining.
I asked that in this particular instance there had been warnings about the cyclone for over a week earlier, why didn't the KESC take any protective measures before a situation developed and preempt such an occurrence.
I was told that these are technical matters and I wouldn't understand and the call was disconnected.
I called again after an hour so. I was again told to wait for another hour. This thing "expected time eik ghanta mazeed hai/i]" continued till after 6 p. m.
Power came back a bit after 6:30.