Karachi — when the city of lights went dark

Published July 8, 2015
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
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
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
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
Vehicles cause light streaks during the power cut. – Reuters
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – AFP
A motorist drives on an unlit street. – 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
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

Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...
The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...