Power shortfall crosses 5,500MW mark, 12-16 hours shutdown across country

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Power shortfall on Saturday crosses the 5,500 megawatt (MW) with as much as 12 to 16 hours of unannounced load-shedding in urban and rural areas due to increased pressure on the system. According to National Transmission And Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) sources, the electricity demand and production deficit stands at is 5,500 MW. Due to this urban areas are facing upto to 12 hours and rural areas 16 hours of power cut.  Sources say that power demand is gradually increasing due to warm weather whereas water outflow has not grown in big dams as a result of which hydroelectric production is not being raised. On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed annoyance at unscheduled load shedding during the Sehr and Iftar hours and has demanded an immediate answer from the Ministry of Water and Power over this issue.