Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

‘Power cuts have made life chaotic’

Photo: M. Periasamy

Surrounded by darkness: Students have to depend on emergency lamps. —

COIMBATORE: Erratic power supply seems to have thrown domestic routine to the winds.

Working women are the worst hit as they are struggling with work in the kitchen and sending their children to school on time.

The power cut between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. makes it extremely difficult for all those who have to manage their homes and reach office on time.

“Though most houses rely on the UPS, it doesn’t support the main requirements such as the refrigerator, microwave oven, geyser and washing machine,” says P.Rekha, an accountant in a private company and a mother of two.

“Washing clothes can be done only in the afternoon, and sometimes, we are unable to switch on the motor when there is water supply,” she says. Storing vegetables for more than two days is no longer an option.

“I used to buy vegetables for a week earlier. Same is the case with milk and dosa and idli batter,” she adds.

The children are unable to watch TV and use the computer and they have nothing to do during their quarterly vacation, Ms.Rekha says.

Lakshmi Shankar, who is also a working mother, says the frequent power cuts at night have led to her children falling ill often.

“The heat makes them prone to cold and fever. My aged father-in-law also finds it difficult to sleep,” she says.

“If the power cuts are going to continue at this rate, the Government should consider subsidising the cost of inverters. Their prices have gone up and it is not a feasible option now. Power cuts have made life chaotic,” Ms.Lakshmi says.

Students are badly affected by the power cuts, says P.Meenakumari, a professional in a private company and a mother of two.

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