SUKKUR, June 3: A major power breakdown is affecting the upper Sindh as two units of the Guddu Thermal Power station remain inoperative compelling Hesco to announce that it is initiating a 10- to 12-hour-long load shedding.

The Guddu thermal power plant had developed a fault more than a day ago and Hesco officials said that it was impossible for them to resume uninterrupted power supply to the affected areas till the repair of these units.

Chief engineer of the Sukkur Hesco Yahya Bashir told Dawn that the Liberty Power Plant, supplying electricity to Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki, and Ghotki, had also broken down, adding that the load of these areas had been shifted to the Guddu Thermal Power House. It was quite burdensome for the system, he said.

Initially, he said, the Guddu power station had developed a fault and it was followed by another fault in the Liberty power plant, adding that it affected the smooth supply of electricity.

He said that the power supply would be restored completely once faults in these two power generating stations were rectified. A Hesco officer, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that two of the city grid's transformers were giving trouble and one of them had developed some fault over a day ago affecting the power supply.

The grid engineer was not available for comments. More than six-hour-long load shedding was being carried out in the interior of Sindh, including Sukkur, making the life of the people miserable, especially patients. It was reported that several of the operations were postponed.

The disruption in power supply was also affecting the water supply situation in the city.

HAJ FARES: Traders on Thursday condemned the increase in Haj fares, terming it an injustice. Co-Chairman of the All-Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries Mohammad Haroon Memon criticized the government, saying it was taking actions which were irksome for the Muslim community.