Sharjah power cuts throw life off track

Sharjah: Prolonged ongoing power cuts have made life difficult for the emirate's residents and business establishments.

People forced to go without electricity for up to 10 hours at a time said they feel abandoned as the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) is not responding to requests for information.

Industrial areas 1, 3, 11, 13, 17 and Muwaileh have been experiencing power outages for the last 28 days. Parts of Al Rolla, Abu Bu Tina, Al Nahda, Al Khan and Al Majaz were also affected on Monday.

Watch video: How Sharjah coped without power

An economist said Sharjah is losing between Dh5 million to Dh7 million a day and up to 35 per cent of workshops and small scale businesses stand affected.

"Industrial firms have incurred huge losses in the last four weeks. They will not be able to continue if power supply is not regularised," he said.

Children are among the worst hit by the outages.

"I cannot let my children sit in the car for six hours daily. It is dangerous as they can breathe in harmful fumes," said Bala, a resident of industrial area 3. "They cannot sleep and are unable to attend school."

A doctor said she is suffering from H1N1 and the power outages are making her life miserable.

Business and workshop owners in the industrial areas are afraid they will lose work contracts. They complain that they cannot set up generators as Sewa deems it illegal.

"I cancelled some of the contracts due by the end of Ramadan and paid clients all the penalties. I know for sure that I will not be able to finish the work by the end of the month," Ayad Bara'a, owner of a workshop in industrial area 11, said.

Ali Maqdad, manager of a plastic factory in industrial area 1, said factories are operating at around 50 per cent capacity.

How has your daily routine been affected by the power cuts in Sharjah? Was Sewa helpful in bringing electricity back to your home or workplace?

Your comments

I am a tenant staying in Industrial area 1 and it is going to be more than 1 month we are facing the SEWA problem. i would like to aware SEWA that even though it is an industrial area it does not mean that only bachelor resides there are families as well.I would appreciate if any higher authority gets involved to find out the depth of this problem cause as i have overheard that this problem is not going to get resolve soon. If SEWA wants to save electricity, why they don't turn off the street lights, mall lights. there are so many options. SEWA needs to cooperate. Gulf News called once and receive no response imagine how many time have we called. I would be grateful if Gulf News takes and action.
Maria
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 15:52

THE LADY AT CUSTOMER SERVICE AT SEWA WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE NORMANCY OF POWER SUPPLY SAYS AND I QUOTE "DONT STAY IN SHARJAH IF YOU CANT BEAR THE POWER CUT" THIS IS WHY WE PAY SEWA AED 70-100 PER MONTH AS SERVICE CHARGES
Stanley
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 15:40

I Disagree with coments of LANA on today. We should talk about the palce we are leving at present not about home country. We pay for all infrastructure according to there demand not as per our home country. Hence we have the right to ask for the better sercices which we pay the additional service charge for all ( Electricity + Water + Gas )and Actual cost of utility. So LANA please consider this. I think LANA will understand when there will be no Electricity in Her/His House.
Bbipin Kumar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 14:55

I had a small exp yesterday and it was too horrible. I really feel sorry for those in the Ind Areas who are suffering since last few weeks. Sharjah will be the 1st in the history to take service charge from customers for providing such type of services. Another thing which makes sharjah different from other emirates is that they charge parking fee till 12 midnight during Ramadan. Who cares.... we have to bear all these things either way.
KG Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 14:33

It is Horrible. Yesterday i sit in the car around 4 hours, with my 2 years baby. Also we are suffering with cold also. SEWA have to inform this before. Last month we feel high bill, even not used. my some friends also noticed so. Giving bills
Thomas
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 14:31

I have people (cleaner and securities) staying in industrial area. My husband worked as there supervisor before. Almost many day of the week we try to accomadate few ofthem at our place for their relief. It is very hard for them, they work 12 hrs and they cannot cook or do there regular works with out electricity.
Priya
Sharjah, Muweilah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 14:01

I live in Ind Area 10. We have been affected now for almost 26-28days.Am left wiht no option other than to leave the place and move over to neighbouring emirate - DXB.There have been more than 6-8 nights when we spend time in our car and sometimes at our relatives place and sometime in darkness at home.With all due respect SEWA have never been able to provide me or other tenenats in my bldg with a respectful reply when asked for the reason in cut. We pay service charges each month and this what we get in return is completly unacceptable or poor professionalism.
Vimal Mathew
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:53

No step would be taken by SEWA...the attitude itself reveals...they are not bothered about the humans... otherwise the problem would be settled immediately.... hope the service charges will remain same in coming SEWA Bill.....
Vidya
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:51

I am staying in industrial area 13. Day before yesterday night (13th) power went off at 7.45 and came back exactly 14the morning 3am. Today (15th) my wife called me now to tell again power went off a 1 P.M. We are not getting a proper response from SEWA also.
Madhu Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:45

To over come the crisis divide the power cut to all areas for a time of 2-3 hours, rather than leaving ceratin people without electricity.At least SEWA should provide the electricity in the indusrial area residential buildings on humanitarian basis.
Jose Joseph
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:36

We had an iftar dinner at our relatives place in Sharjah. Building are like 20 - 30 stories and power breakdown creates problem if someone resides on top floors
Farhan Abbas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:36

when we pay full bill and even fines n deposits and extra charges.when disconnection we pay extra to reconnect.then y we r facing such a big problem of electricity.at least we should know whats da reason behind this.
Irsalan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 13:21

Due to past 28 days of Power shortage, we are unable to have proper sleep, our lives are effected soo bad. WE CANT LIVE IN SHJ ANYMORE!!
Zahra
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:10

If this is the starting of the problems God knows where our miseries will end, but surely in these trying times it does not reflect good and my own experience of SEWA and landlords has not been very psoitive.
Amr Pande
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:08

I hope they will inform us about the situation on when they can fix it and when they will put it off. It is very inconvenient especially for us since we are living in the upper floor of our building. We sure hope to hear from SEWA..
Maria
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:08

thx to sewa they are doing good job from last 28 days in 24 houresin a day we r getting power only 4 houres
Vimz
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:07

SEWA should undertake a major restructuring of its organisation and think tank . I think we are focussing on the effect of the failure ,instead we should turn our attention to the cause.
Thomas
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:01

I recently moved to Sharjah from Dubai. Didn't experience power outages at all during the first month of August, but now when it's ramadan... my entire image of Sharjah after experiencing these prolonged power cuts has changed altogether. I regret on my decision of moving to Sharjah. SEWA don't even seem to care about ramadan. The power cuts are during iftar times. I can't believe this.
Mohammad Haider
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:57

For two days I saw street lights near Quran Roundabout was on during afternoon time. Why don't SEWA try to reduce wastage of electricity like this and even Ramadan decorations on Roads.
Jude
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:56

Due to regular power cut our work is effected as its very difficult to work without getting sleep overnight and also it effects the health of a person. I hope that SEWA will find a solution soon.
Ronson
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:55

We are staying in Catterpillar signal,there are around 200 families staying in the same building, every day there is a power cut, I tried to call SEWA no one pick up the call, I am not able to send my son to school, because he is not geting proper sleap in the night witout electricity. What to do, whom to ask where to complaint, helpless, it is a misserable situation.
Biju Joseph
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:45

SEWA authorieties Please come to Ind Areas and feel the pain....
Nazar CP
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:34

we are staying in industrial area 10 in sharjah, we are experiencing the same problem for the last one month. SEWA does not respond on phone. at least midnight powercut they can avoid or inform us well in advnce so that we can make alternative arrangments.
Byju
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:34

We can realise how Sharjah residents suffer during this peak summer
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:33

I live in Sharjah AlNahda Street and my work place also is in Sharjah. We have no Electricity at home and work. Unfourtunatly we didn't have water also yesterday for about 17 hours. During these past four weeks we suffered huqe lose of business due to the black out in addition to the sleeplessness and living dificulty that we have experienced.
Ahmad Sani
Shajah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:29

It is very sad to see that such a developed state is facing the problem of power shortage. However it is more shameful to see at night to all the roundabouts and electricity in City , King Faisal Road, Buhaira Corniche, poles with decorative lightings which were installed for sharjah Ramdan festival. I humbly request sharjah electricity authorities to switch off those unrequired lighting and supply that power to required units.
Zia Al Hasaan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:27

it is very difficult to stay 10-12 hours with childrens in the flat. so pls: open your eyes of Sewa Authoritites.
Suresh Kumar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:22

2009 Holy month of Ramadan become a memorable year. I am residing in Ind Area No 17, living with my wife and 1 year old son. Last 2 days i cant concentrate neither office nor family due to this electricity problem. When i came back after work, 1 year old son not yet started to speak and he is guiding me with his hand to go towards car and would sit in car to get A/C. Now my concern is that due to this vary in climate would affect my sons health or not...I need to know only 1 answer from the SEWA authorities when will we get our electrcity without any interruption? can anyone have the courage to come up with final answer from SEWA
Vivek
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 11:09

It is unbelievable ...I am asking and begging the federal government to take an action about this issue and finishe this Tragedy... Thanks
Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:41

I have nothing to comment. I never see such a horrible situation even in india. SEWA Authority have atleast to inform the public that when they can normalize the power, we the construction labours in Industrial Area have sleepless night in the pavement. I earnestly request the Authority to do something immediately
Santhosh
Industrial Area 15, Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:37

Its very difficult to bear powercut in this hot weather. Its worst that India, where the powercuts are fixed and they reschedule it so that we can arrange our daily activities accordingly.
Ranjitha Nair
Sharjah, Near Mega Mall,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:36

I think it is totally unfair on the expatriates to blame SEWA for certain electricity unavailability issues. While it is truly understandable that power cuts does impact daily life, on the other hand people have to recall what is the power availability in their countries. One needs to lose something to gain something. After all, Sharjah emirate is doing all it can to have the best infrastructure availability at enormous cost only to help people. People also are to blame for excessive consumption of power, water and other infrastructure facilities without giving any care for the global concern. Most of the power, water, telephone and several facilities that are available for expatriates at a nominal charge are only luxory for the people.
Lana
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:31

Our daily routine has been affected to a major extent. We all know that the problem of power failure has been constant for the past 28 days, but one thing which adds to the fact is why SEWA is not able to respond to the queries of the residents? People here are staying in a developed country, where such problems should be resolved in the least amount of time. Why isn?t SEWA able to come up with a plan or a schedule of power cut / load shedding when they know they have a problem to tackle? At least through this the residents would know when they have to be away from their homes. Had the weather been cooler, people would have been better. But its out of question to live in such a summer without the air-conditioning, especially for women and children. Please bring this to the notice of the authorities, and I am sure there are better ways to solve this problem.
Nayeem Dakhway
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:08

For the upcoming Eid Al Fitr kindly arrange for the power supply for the small businesses. People are waiting for some earnings to fulfill their hopes at the time of Eid. I humbly request the authorities of SEWA to sympathise with the public, because it is impossible to survive without power.
Abdul Sattar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:07

Yesterday was the first day that I faced power failure in the past six years. Thankfully, the electricity was restored within four hours.
Rizwan Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:04

It was 7.50am today, I was driving to Dubai and was shocked to see that street lights in Industrial Area were still ON. I feel it is simply irresponsible when the majority of people are suffering without electricity. Is there no one to monitor these things?
Raj
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:03

It is getting worse day by day, this power outage has become part of our daily routine which is making it worse to live in Sharjah. It would be better if Sewa just declares the days when there will be no power, this is the practice in India and Pakistan. At least people would then know when they need to go out.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 09:56

I live in Al Nahda, Sharjah. There was no electricity in my building yesterday for almost 4 hours from 12-4 PM. My 10-month-old child was sweating and couldn't sleep. Our food started spoiling, which is a big problem during Ramadan. Please let the public know what SEWA is doing to attend to this situation? Will this be permanent or its a temporary problem.
Danish Jaaferi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 09:56

Our business is in Industrial Area 5 and the power yesterday went off at 9am, even before the start of work and did not return until at least 11pm. We have finally set up a generator backup at high cost so as not to loose on business in an already slow market.
Shabbar Hatim
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 09:51

My wife is pregnent and trust me life in shj is realy worst ....she is crying some times because of her comfort...and they dont even giv any prior notice for the same. atlest any type of intemation
Rajesh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 09:11

Sharjah is the only emirates who charging 60-100 dhs service charges from the customers for water electricity and gas. My gas service charge is more than the gas i consumed. If the power is like this they have to cut the service charge they are collecting without giving service when needy. I can see people are climbing the stair case at the time of breaking their fast. this is wrong
Bimal
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 09:02

Yesterday we had to invite guests for Iftar. The electricity was out for good 3 hours. We had to wind up and down the staircase (10 floors) to buy candles in King Faisal Road so we can have our Iftar meal properly. I feel for those who reside in industrial areas as they are the most hit by the outages.
Hani
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:59

It is useless to comment on this issue. Its not going to end. Before Ramadan problem starts but not yet solved, what we can expect from SEWA now. In our part we are paying the electricity bill on time including service charges but not getting good customer service. SEWA don't want to answer our calls and give us solution. Our suffering is continuing. Lets see how much longer does SEWA take to solve this issue. Now we are not calling SEWA any more. Just living our life in dark while sweating.
Jan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:52

The continuous power cuts is the worst problem in Sharjah this year. It's been almost a month yet still not resolved. All we know is we can't live like this anymore. They have to do something. Something that can fix everything as soon as possible for once and for all!
Lovelyn
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:45

It is very bad on the part of SEWA at least they inform us the timings when power is not available we could make alternate arrangement, no response from Sewa means electricity disruption will remain same for next couple of weeks, who should be accountable for as day to day life is becoming difficult that too in Ramadan?
Khalid Al Naqeeb
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:39

Unbelievable...how can the industrial area suffer so much?
Sunil R
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:32

If Sharjah doesn?t have power supply to fulfill the existing demand, then how can one cope up with the new demand. Really disappointing!
Zeeshan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:27

I think we will leave Sharjah...if this power cut continues
Vinitha Vipin
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:27

The statement of Mr. Ali Maqdad is a live experience and hope this will bring light to the problem. How can an authority be so irresponsible?
Mohammad Abdul Sattar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:26

I live in Al Nahda area, yesterday there was a power cut from 12:30pm till 4pm. My family really suffered as we live on the 16th floor and it was really difficult to go up and get down by stairs just to get out of the building in the scorching heat. SEWA does not respond no one picks up the phone. It's useless even to try
Sajid Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:26

Very bad response from SEWA. No one even picks the phone...for the past three weeks... horrendous situation!
Fiyaz Hussain
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:23

We suffered flu and cough because of that power cuts. We are very disappointed on whats happening now. Nobody inform and gave some clear details about that. We cannot survive in the humidity outside as well inside the building specially the children and infants.
Wako
Sharjah,United Arab Emirates
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:21

From the history of Sharjah, this is the worst power outage. SEWA is so irresponsible in addressing the concerns
Praveen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:16

First thing is that we are not informed about this. If it is a planned outage, why SEWA can not make the public aware. What is the reason for the outage?
Sisira
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 08:00

It is strange to see the things going on in Sharjah, a very small matter SEWA is not able to solve the problem, just imaging how the residents are surviving without power specially the families. it is SEWAs responsibility to solve this problem
Mohammad Miyan Khasdar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 07:57

We stay in Industrial Area 1 and had been experiencing this problem since 17th Aug. There are days when the power goes in the middle of the night and returns after hours and there are days when the power goes continuously for days. Nobody knows why, till when this happens. Anyway, what more to get worse when we dont have power during day time as well as night continuously. We are in a kind of dilemma shuttling with children like stray people at day as well as night time. This is totally painful as we still get our SEWA bill on time. We are fine adjusting with power issues, but at least if they can give us some assurance as to till when this is going to last or at least inform us prior as to those hours when there will be power failure. The children, the ill people, pregnant women are all worst hit by this situation!!
Beena Vinod
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 07:34

SEWA needs to inform in clear terms why this is happening repeatedly and the deadline for rectification. This is becoming worse than the place I come from in India, where beforehand the time for switch off is announced...a month in advance
Krishnan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 07:32

Power went off in Al Nad, Qasimiya area also around 15:00 Monday. My two children came back from school and they were not able to bare the heat temperature at home. Lifts were not working. Power came back at 18:00 means exactly after 03 hours. SEWA emergency line was always busy... unable to contact.
Kumdhar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 07:09

I am living in Industrial Area 6, one of the worst hit areas of power cut. Yesterday it was more than 12 hours continues power cut in this area. Medicines of my one and half year old son are spoiled, as it has to be kept in refrigerator. Balance amount of dairy products, prepared food etc has to through to garbage after single use as it cant be kept in refrigerator. My school going son cant do his home work. Groceries here not stocking food items like chicken, meat etc. The worst thing is SEWA not responding to queries. No body knows what the reason is! I am from a secular country, but we never faced a power cut at the time of Iftar in our country even at the time of most serious power shortage. Instead of putting some areas under power cuts for more than 12 hours, why can't make it few minutes all areas?
Rayin Kutty
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 07:06

This is really terrific, we are suffering this for the last 20 to 30 days. Even my son not able go to school, without having proper sleep. surprising fact is that, opposite to my building power is there. Why dont SEWA disconnect all the areas by 1 to 2 hours daily, instead of disconnecting 13 to 17 hours daily in one areas
Lallu
shj,uae
Posted: September 15, 2009, 06:22

It is very much horrible, having a sleep of two to three hours. This is my humble request to SEWA if you have shortage of power please make a clear schedule and inform the public the timings. Please!
Satheesan P.S
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 05:52

It's a disaster if someone like me has a 7 month old at home specially in this hot weather and being Ramadan too. Buildings like mine which does not have a generator at least for the lifts is another big problem if we live on a very higher floor- like i am !
Masoumeh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 04:28

Its been 35 days now and we are facing this problem. We have become homeless. The lights are put off anytime, there is no time and no time limit. SEWA does not respond. We have small children. I have seen people sleeping on the footpath in this hot and humid climate after all the day working in heat.
Baadshah
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2009, 01:31