Frequent power outages during the day are being reported across Chennai and several other districts, leaving residents struggling to cope amid severe heat.
Power supply is typically interrupted for maintenance at local substations to prevent equipment failures, with shutdowns often scheduled from morning to afternoon. With temperatures soaring, the electricity board has instructed engineers to avoid maintenance-related outages, and such works have been halted in many areas.
Despite this, residents in Chennai localities including Mylapore, Egmore, Ambattur, Vyasarpadi and Perambur say they are facing repeated and prolonged daytime cuts. People say complaints to the electricity board have not resulted in action.
The disruptions are affecting households and also impacting small and micro enterprises. Last week, Tamil Nadu’s daily average power demand stood at around 21,000 MW, dipped to 17,000 MW on Monday due to weekend and Vinayagar Chaturthi holidays, and rose again as schools, colleges and offices reopened.
Demand is currently around 20,000 MW. With only about 1,000 MW available from wind power, officials report a shortfall of roughly 1,500–2,000 MW, leading to renewed night-time power cuts in districts outside Chennai, affecting residents’ sleep.
