GHALANAI: Prolonged loadshedding has hit Mohmand tribal region, affecting routine life and creating acute water shortage.

The 22-hour long outages have compelled the tribesmen to purchase water. Taking advantage of the continuous power suspension, dealers of wood and gas cylinders have doubled the prices.

When contacted, Ghalanai SDO Javed Khan said the loadshedding was carried out because 52 batteries were not functioning at the 132KV grid station. He said that the batteries had been replaced today (Wednesday) and the smooth power supply would be restored soon because the fresh batteries needed 72 hours to be fully charged.

COLLEGE LACKS FACILITIES: Lack of basic facilities at the government degree college for boys in Ekkaghund tehsil has exposed the poor state of affairs of education in the tribal areas.

“No development works have been carried out in the college for the last 20 years,” said a teacher.

“There are 800 students and 80 teaching staff, including the principal, but the college lacks electricity and water supply and has no boundary wall,” said principal Tasbehullah Khan.

He said that the college’s boundary wall got collapsed in a windstorm three years ago, and they had approached the concerned authorities for its reconstruction, but to no avail.

Mr Khan said that due to absence of the boundary wall residential quarters of teachers and servants and students’ hostels were vulnerable to attacks.

The college principal said equipments had been stolen from the college.

He said that students suffered during exams in the months of June and July as there was no proper arrangement of drinking water in the college.