As the water level in river Jhelum and tributaries has drastically reduced because of the less rainfall, the power generation capacity in the Kashmir region has reduced significantly.
The power plants in Kashmir nowadays are being overwhelmed with the demand of electricity especially in the peripheral areas where the public faces major outages particularly during the peak hours.
The outcry of the public regarding the power outages and distress cuts in Kashmir region have been going on for many years but in the recent couple of years there have been some Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) done by the administration to provide a sigh of relief to the consumers.
According to the reports, there has been a dip in power generation by nearly 80 percent from the power plants in the Kashmir region.
However, the reports suggest that the hydro power stations in Chenab Valley in Jammu are generating at least 150-200 Megawatts of power. The Power Development Department (PDD) of Jammu and Kashmir has been advising its consumers to use electricity judiciously without any pilferages and theft.
Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL)—the power DISCOM Company in Kashmir region in an ongoing crackdown against the consumers has said that it has recovered many banned crude electronic gadgets which was affecting the supply of those consumers who are using the power judicially.
As per the officials, the work on installing smart meters is going on and with the completion of the project, distress cuts are expected. Keeping in view the ongoing power perils, the DISCOM is planning to release a new power curtailment schedule wherein extra power cuts are expected.
As of now there is a need to use the power judiciously so that no consumer is affected badly. Recently, KPDCL has said that there was a huge damage in DT in which at least 158 transformers were damaged in only four days. However it said that it had replaced 143 transformers.