Click to play videoKashmir: Winters in Kashmir are harsh and long. What is making it worse this time, are the frequent and long power cuts.
Almost nine hours of scheduled and a few more unscheduled power cuts has hundreds of Valley residents fuming.
There have been dozens of violent protests against Power Development Department (PDD) and many staffers of the department had to face angry residents.
"There is no power around the Jamia Masjid. All 12 neighbouring localities are in darkness. We can't even offer prayers," says an angry resident of Kashmir.
"If government fails to line up power, we will protest the way we are known for," warns another Kashmir resident.
As the sub-zero freeze continues to envelop Kashmir, the power situation is likely to go worse in next 10 weeks.
Faced with a requirement of 1,500 megawatts power for six lakh domestic consumers, the PDD is able to line up only 800 Megawatts with 90 per cent being imported from National Hydel Power Corporation on high price.
The PDD blames thefts for the poor power situation.
"When we installed the meters first, the system was reliable but now massive pilferage is taking place," says PDD Chief Engineer Mushtaq Ahmad.
PDD has now set out teams in different localities to detect thefts hundreds of consumers, mostly rich and influential and resorting to frauds have been penalised.
As the winter digs further its heels, Kashmir has started to feel its familiar pinch.
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