SUKKUR, Aug 12: A large number of people fainted due to extreme heat as different localities in the district suffered from frequent power breakdowns on Wednesday night.

The region has been experiencing power breakdowns for four days due to a major fault in the Guddu and Liberty power plants.

The affected areas include Old Sukkur, Microwave Colony, Minara Road, Clock Tower, Bachal Shah Miani, Golimar Road, Shikarpur Road, Frere road, Shahi Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar and Bunder Road.

Electricity breakdowns also hit Rohri, Pano Aqil, Kandhra, Salehpat and other areas, affecting business activities and causing hardships to people. The situation led to a protest in Thul on Thursday where hundreds of residents took to the streets against unannounced power load-shedding and issuance of detection bills.

The protest procession started from the municipal committee office and ended at the Thul Press Club. Later, the protestors staged a sit-in at the Rahber Chowk for two hours and burnt tyres.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Ali Hassan Buriro and Jawed Anwar Channa demanded an inquiry against the Thul Hesco SDO for resorting to what he called unjust load-shedding. They regretted that people were issued heavy detection bills. Later, the protestors observed a two-hours hunger strike.