SUKKUR, May 15: Six units of the Guddu Thermal Power Station became inoperative following suspension of gas supply to the plant from Marri Gas Filed near Ubauro on Wednesday night because of the rupture of 20-inch diameter pipeline.

Reports said the pipeline exploded with a big bang at Guddu Road near Waris Pull shutting down six units and causing a shortfall of 300MW.

Walls of a nearby house gave in and cracks developed in walls and roofs of other houses due to the intensity of the explosion, said villagers. Heavy police contingent cordoned off the area.

Officials at the Guddu plant when contacted confirmed the closure of six units and said that a team of technicians had left for Ubauro to assist engineers in repairing the damaged gas pipeline.

They said the 300MW shortfall will not impact area people directly because of the national grid system while gas supply to affected units will be normalised by late Thursday night.

Load-shedding in Upper Sindh had been intensified following the closure of units piquing the already annoyed consumers.

CHEATING: More than 200 students were caught cheating in Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education examinations held at different centres in which more then 48,000 students are taking part.