KARACHI, Aug 16: Many areas of the city remained in the grip of prolonged power breakdowns on Monday while the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation made no effort to ensure that its consumers receive uninterrupted power supply.

Sources working in the centralized complaint centre of the KESC, better known as 118, said that complaints regarding power failure had been received from Nazimabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, Korangi, North Karachi, Abyssinia Line, Garden East, Golimar, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, New Karachi and Saddar.

A resident of Federal B Area, Block 18, told Dawn his locality - as well as some areas in Block 19 across the street - had faced a power shutdown from 5pm to 8.30pm on Monday. He added that even after the restoration of electricity, phase problems continued in his locality. According to him, at least one phase of electricity keeps facing fluctuations and shutdowns on a regular basis.

A resident of Garden East near Jamaat Khana told Dawn late in the evening that he had been without electricity since the Asr prayers. He added that on the Independence Day his locality faced a power breakdown for more than five hours.

The residents of Blocks 7, 15, and 10 of Federal B Area also said that the power supply remained on and off with intervals during the hot and humid weather. A resident of Block 7 said that the power fluctuation was a daily routine in his locality. He said that the voltage became so low at night that electrical appliance ceased to operate.