Residents of Mahim in Mumbai faced significant hardship on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon as a sudden power cut plunged parts of the neighborhood into darkness for over 1.5 hours. The outage occurred after a cable was accidentally damaged during ongoing road work, leaving many without electricity as temperatures soared to 35 degrees Celsius.
Impact on Mahim Residents During Peak Heat
The power disruption primarily affected Mahim (West), including areas along Lady Jamshedji Road, where residents reported severe inconvenience. With the heat and humidity at peak levels, households struggled to manage without essential cooling appliances like fans and air conditioners. Senior citizens and children were among the most vulnerable groups facing discomfort during this period.
A local resident who filed a complaint with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) highlighted the challenges, stating that the lack of electricity exacerbated the already oppressive weather conditions. Officials from BEST were not immediately available for comment on the incident.
Work-From-Home Professionals Hit Hard
The outage also severely impacted people working from home, many of whom rely on local internet connections and routers that shut down during power failures. A community activist noted that mobile data networks were patchy in some areas, further disrupting online meetings and office work. This compounded the difficulties for professionals trying to maintain productivity amid the unexpected blackout.
Rising Power Demand in Mumbai
This incident comes at a time when electricity consumption across Mumbai has spiked due to sultry weather conditions. Officials reported that peak power demand in the city recently reached around 3,200 megawatts, driven largely by increased use of cooling appliances. The timing of the outage made it particularly challenging for residents trying to cope with the heat.
Second Disruption in Less Than a Week
Notably, this was the second such power interruption in less than a week. Earlier, several parts of Mumbai's western suburbs, from Bandra to Goregaon, experienced outages lasting nearly two hours. These repeated disruptions during peak summer conditions have prompted growing complaints from residents about the reliability of essential services.
Civic Safety Concerns Over Street Lighting
In a related development, Mahim residents have raised serious concerns about civic safety due to non-functional street lights. In a recent letter to the government, locals called for urgent intervention to address defunct lamps at Mahim Causeway and the stretch from Kalanagar towards Mahim.
Residents reported that most street lights in these areas have remained non-operational for days, leaving key roads in darkness. This situation poses significant risks for pedestrians and motorists, increasing the likelihood of accidents and criminal activities. The community has demanded immediate repairs and better coordination between agencies to prevent such recurring issues with essential services.
The combination of power outages and poor street lighting highlights broader infrastructure challenges in Mumbai, particularly during extreme weather conditions. Residents continue to advocate for more reliable and coordinated efforts to ensure public safety and comfort.
