Karachi — when the city of lights went dark

Published July 8, 2015
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power breakdown. – Reuters.
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power breakdown. – Reuters.
Homeless people sleep on a bridge during the power cut. – AFP
Homeless people sleep on a bridge during the power cut. – AFP
Men sleep on a street in the early morning to escape the heat during a major power breakdown in Karachi, July 8, 2015. A K-Electric spokesman said that almost half of Karachi fell into darkness after the main power line from Bin Qasim power plant tripped on Tuesday evening. – Reuters
Men sleep on a street in the early morning to escape the heat during a major power breakdown in Karachi, July 8, 2015. A K-Electric spokesman said that almost half of Karachi fell into darkness after the main power line from Bin Qasim power plant tripped on Tuesday evening. – Reuters
A general view of a market with shops powered by generators. – Reuters
A general view of a market with shops powered by generators. – Reuters
People sleep on a van during the power cut. – AFP
People sleep on a van during the power cut. – AFP
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – AFP
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – AFP
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
This photograph taken early July 8, 2015, shows the effects of a power cut on Karachi. Pakistan faces an annual electricity shortfall of around 4,000 megawatts in the peak summer months of June and July when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) in the country's centre. – AFP
This photograph taken early July 8, 2015, shows the effects of a power cut on Karachi. Pakistan faces an annual electricity shortfall of around 4,000 megawatts in the peak summer months of June and July when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) in the country's centre. – AFP
A restaurant worker makes tea during the power cut. – AFP
A restaurant worker makes tea during the power cut. – AFP

KARACHI: A large number of city localities plunged into darkness on Tuesday night as a major fault occurred in the transmission and distribution system of power distributor K-Electric (KE).

According to KE officials, a conductor on the main 220KV transmission line failed, causing the extra high tension line to trip. This caused a ripple effect and units at Bin Qasim power plant tripped in turn, plunging most parts of the city in darkness.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...