MIRPURKHAS, April 7: A major power breakdown on Monday affected a large area of southeastern Sindh.

Hesco official said that the supply of electricity was suspended from the Hala grid station in Hyderabad to the Mirpurkhas grid station on Monday morning. The reason for the power suspension could not be ascertained.

Areas, affected by the power breakdown, included Mirpurkhas, Mirwah, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot, Mithi, Islamkot, Chhachhro, Diplo, Nagarparkar, Chelhar, Umerkot, Sufi, Pithoro, Dhoronaro, Bachao Bund, Shadi Palli, Ghulam Nabi Shah, Jhilori, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Samaro, Kunri and Tando Allahyar.

The power failure affected water pumping stations in various towns and villages while rendering small-scale industries inoperative.

Normal business activities were affected.

BOOKED: Some 15 growers were booked on Monday on charges of stealing water from the Akota distributary in Digri taluka.

Edhi Khan Chandio, Darogha of the Naokot sub- division had lodged an FIR with the Jhuddo police that he water courses No 2R, 4AL, 7AR, 8L, 7R, and 9L had been tampered with by Ayub Kapri, Mohammad Aslam, Pehlaj, Bhagwano, Abdul Sattar Chandio, Mir Mustafa, Mir Khan Mohammad and others.

BAITUL MAAL FUNDS: DCO Mirpurkhas Dr Mohammad Siddique Memon on Monday said that the fifth instalment of Rs18.5 million released from the Baitul Maal funds would be distributed among 18,430 deserving people in the district.

Talking to journalists here, he said that the district officer, Baitul Maal and the senior postmaster had been directed to distribute the funds among the registered Mustahqeen under the food support programme.