As a scorching heatwave sweeps across Odisha, residents of Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district are facing double trouble, soaring temperatures above 40°C and persistent electricity outages. Frequent power cuts and low voltage issues in several parts of the town have left people struggling to cope with the extreme heat, with some areas enduring electricity problems for over a week.

Residents Struggle Amid Power Cuts

In Biswanath Nagar and the surrounding areas, power supply has been inconsistent for four to five days. The heat has made daily life extremely uncomfortable, affecting everyone from the elderly to households reliant on water motors. Many residents are unable to stay indoors comfortably or venture outside, as the lack of electricity worsens the impact of the intense summer heat.

“For the past seven days, power has been fluctuating between 70 and 240 volts, never stable. Despite repeated complaints to the JE, no one has visited the site. Yesterday, people from our locality spoke directly to the SDO, who came and worked until 1 AM. The JE has not visited our area at all. We have been suffering for over 15 days. In almost every house, some appliances, ACs, fridges, and motors have been damaged. Most households have seen significant losses. I even considered moving to my old house and leaving this place entirely,” said a resident.

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“In Biswanath Nagar, the transformer near the cornfield is about 1.5 kilometres away. We had proposed a 250 KVA transformer, and half the plinth has been completed. However, Right of Way (R.O.W.) issues in three or four spots delayed installation, and some old cables were damaged. Yesterday, we replaced five span cables, resolving the problem for consumers at the far end by midnight. Today, 10 span cables will be laid along the main line, and the issue is expected to be largely resolved,” said the executive engineer.

Restoration Work Underway

Efforts to restore electricity are in full swing. Work to repair and upgrade cabling across the town is ongoing, with officials assuring that the project will be completed soon. 

Executive engineers have confirmed that once the work is finished, long-standing power supply issues in various parts of Paralakhemundi will be resolved. Residents are hopeful that continuous electricity will soon return, offering much-needed relief from the sweltering heat and related difficulties.