08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

SUKKUR, Aug 7: Power supply to parts of upper Sindh and some areas of Balochistan, which plunged into darkness after a major breakdown on Friday evening, was restored after 12 hours at 8am on Saturday.

The areas to which the supply of electricity was restored were Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot, Tangwani, Ghauspur, Karampur, Risaldar, Kashmor, Garhi Khairo, and some parts of Balochistan, including Jaferabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allah Yar.

However, Thul is still without power despite the lapse of more than 24 hours when the breakdown occurred.

At least 13 people, including Zahid, Gada Mirza and Kainat, fell unconscious due to the sizzling heat. They were taken to different hospitals.

A fault, developed in the 132kv transmission line between Jacobabad and Shikarpur following a heavy duststorm in the area, had caused breakdown.

Hesco authorities said the repair work of the transmission line would be completed in two hours but it took 12 hours.

The power breakdown also led to protest demonstrations in the affected areas.

In Kandhkot, people, raising slogans against Hesco officials, took to the streets and held a demonstration.

Meanwhile, Hesco officials of Sukkur said a major fault had developed in the Guddu thermal power plant due to which load- shedding had been started in Sukkur and other cities and towns of interior Sindh.