LEEPA VALLEY (Kashmir English): Residents are facing severe hardship as load shedding in Leepa Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), exceeds 16 hours daily despite the operation of two hydropower projects, leading to protests demanding immediate government action.
The power crisis in Leepa Valley worsens daily as residents undergo more than 16 hours of power cuts which creates immense frustration among the populace. Daily life activities become harder for locals to maintain because of the prolonged power outages particularly when harsh weather conditions occur.
A lone hydropower plant with a 1.6-megawatt capacity supplied all electricity needs to Leepa Valley before 2020 began. The Kapabana Mula Hydropower Project began operations in 2020 giving the area an extra 2 megawatts from its existing supply capacity. People in the area believed the newly constructed power facility would end all power outages to deliver constant dependable electricity. The power conditions have become worse since 2020 because outages in the valley have become considerably more frequent.
The valley exists in an ongoing power crisis despite existing with two operational hydropower projects. The population’s daily operations alongside education as well as businesses have been disrupted because of the unreliable electricity supply. People in this region demonstrate their anger toward the government because it continues to fail to solve the power crisis while the capabilities of power generation increase.
The deteriorating power situation has caused residents of Leepa Valley to organize public protests in their area. Province-wide demonstrations have triggered people to start requesting quick solutions for resolving the power shortage crisis. The protesters demand that officials accept their duty to execute proper power resource management that will stop additional suffering.
Residents ask for a government investigation into power rationing since fresh power generation has started while demanding immediate electricity stability actions. Residents consider inadequate management combined with weak infrastructure as the principal causes behind continuing power blackouts.
People from Leepa Valley face complete despair because of the deteriorating electricity conditions. Residents face extended power outages with no prospects for resolution since they wait desperately for the authorities to take needed action toward restoring power operations and returning to normal conditions.
