As the relentless heatwave continues to grip Punjab, a wave of frustration and helplessness has washed over the state’s residents due to frequent and unscheduled power cuts. With temperatures soaring past 45 degrees Celsius in several areas, people are finding it increasingly difficult to cope without electricity, especially during peak hours. What makes matters worse is the lack of any official timetable or prior notice for these power outages, leaving citizens in the dark—both literally and metaphorically.
In cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda, the situation has reached a boiling point. Residents complain of power cuts lasting several hours a day, often occurring multiple times without warning. These power outages not only disrupt daily life but also jeopardize health and safety, particularly for senior citizens, young children, and individuals with medical conditions who rely on electronic medical equipment. The absence of functioning fans, air conditioners, and even water pumps has led to sleepless nights and long, uncomfortable days.
For many, the heat inside their homes is now nearly indistinguishable from the scorching temperatures outside. College student Ravneet Kaur from Jalandhar shared her ordeal, describing how she wakes up drenched in sweat every night because the electricity goes out at midnight and doesn’t return until the early morning. “It’s unbearable. We have no idea when the power will go, so we can’t even plan to study or sleep properly,” she said, clearly exhausted and disheartened.
Businesses, too, are feeling the heat—both physically and financially. Shopkeepers, especially those who depend on refrigeration or electronic billing systems, are seeing their operations thrown into chaos. In Amritsar’s bustling Hall Bazaar, several dairy and meat vendors reported significant losses due to their perishable goods spoiling during extended outages. Restaurants have been forced to either invest heavily in diesel generators or shorten operating hours to avoid customer complaints about discomfort and poor service.
Industrial units, which form a large part of Punjab’s economic landscape, are not immune to the crisis. Power cuts have forced many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to halt production during certain hours, leading to productivity losses and delayed shipments. Some manufacturers are now exploring shifting operations to night shifts, hoping that demand on the grid might be lighter after sunset. However, even this strategy isn’t foolproof, as night-time outages have become increasingly frequent.
While the residents are angry and desperate for answers, authorities are offering reassurances, albeit with limited results. Power department officials have attributed the load shedding to a surge in demand caused by the severe heatwave, which they claim has put an unprecedented burden on the grid. According to official figures, power consumption in the state has crossed the 3,000 lakh units per day mark—far exceeding earlier forecasts.
Despite these explanations, the public’s patience is running thin. Citizens argue that such high demand should have been anticipated, especially since weather departments had already issued early warnings about the prolonged summer heat. “If they knew this heatwave was coming, why didn’t they plan for it?” asked Harbhajan Singh, a retired army officer from Mohali. “Every year we go through this suffering. It’s high time the government invested in upgrading the infrastructure.”
Adding to the public’s frustration is the fact that many had hoped for improvement following the government’s earlier promises of a robust and modernized power sector. When the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Punjab, they made several commitments to ensure uninterrupted power supply, reduce electricity tariffs, and improve transmission infrastructure. While some steps have been taken in that direction, the current crisis is being viewed by many as a serious failure in governance and planning.
Opposition leaders have seized the moment to criticize the ruling party. Senior leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress have called out the government for what they term “incompetence and mismanagement,” demanding immediate action to restore normalcy. The state’s energy minister, in response, has assured citizens that emergency measures are being taken to procure additional electricity from central grids and neighboring states. However, logistical and financial constraints continue to be hurdles in the path of a quick resolution.
Hospitals and healthcare centers are also facing the brunt of this situation. While larger hospitals typically have backup power systems, smaller clinics and rural health centers often do not. Reports have surfaced of disrupted surgeries, delayed diagnostic tests, and failing refrigeration for medicines and vaccines due to power outages. These disruptions pose serious health risks and further compound the distress experienced by the people.
Students preparing for competitive exams, including medical and engineering entrances, are particularly affected. With poor lighting and constant sweating, their ability to concentrate and study has taken a massive hit. Parents are expressing concern that this could have long-term academic consequences for their children, especially in such a crucial phase of their lives.
In rural areas, the crisis has other dimensions. Farmers who rely on electric motors to pump water for their crops are unable to irrigate their fields during scheduled watering times. Some farmers have taken to using diesel generators, but the high cost of fuel eats into their already slim profit margins. The unpredictability of power supply is also creating anxiety among those cultivating water-sensitive crops, especially during peak summer months when timely irrigation is essential.
In light of all this, citizen groups, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and civil society organizations have begun staging protests and demanding immediate government intervention. Candlelight marches, online petitions, and social media campaigns are gaining momentum, putting additional pressure on those in power to respond more effectively.
The current wave of unscheduled power cuts amid a severe heatwave is not merely a matter of inconvenience. It reflects deeper systemic issues related to energy planning, governance, and infrastructure. It is also a reminder of the urgent need to diversify energy sources, strengthen transmission networks, and prioritize climate resilience in policy-making. Until such measures are taken, residents of Punjab may continue to suffer through scorching days and restless nights, with little relief in sight.