Be prepared
It was 8pm and suddenly the lights went out (“Will this nightmare ever end?” (Gulf News, May 27). All the areas were dark and it was a surprise for all of us because we had never experienced this situation in the UAE. There was chaos everywhere. All the neighbours came to the parking lot with their children and everyone started asking each other what had happened. But no one had a clue. It was sort of an unbelievable situation. Back in our home countries, we are used to this. We eat dinner by candlelight most of the time. It was bad for me because my son had his final exam the next day. The power came back after five hours and the first thing we did was switch on the air conditioning. We should just pray that this situation never happens again. But we should keep emergency lights and battery-operated fans — just in case.
From Ms Sophy Aqeel
Sharjah

Where do we go?
Sharjah has once again made its residents stay in the heat. We stay in the Al Nahda area. I came back from shopping after a long day, and there was no electricity. People were sitting or standing outside their homes. I thought of going to a hypermarket nearby, but there was no electricity there as well. I went to the neighbouring building and visited a friend’s home and sat there till midnight because they had power. The authorities should at least get a generator for urgent use. The last building I resided in had a generator and residents could at least get to their homes, especially those on higher floors. I kept hearing from people that the power cuts will continue. Please do something!
From Ms Fariha Latif
Sharjah

Tips to beat the heat
I wish to give a few tips to bear the summer heat. Take small gulps of water instead of drinking a full glass in one go. Run the fan on a slow speed so that you perspire and even if the fan blows hot air you will feel cool. Eat a lot of salad, have curds and curry in meals and avoid meat, dry vegetables and spicy food. Do not have cold drinks — instead drink lime water with a pinch of salt and sugar. Eat watermelon, papaya and oranges. I live in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India where the temperature in the day goes up to 46C in the summer. But neither my wife nor I need air-conditioning and we have been living comfortably for so many years.
From Mr R. Bhatia
India

Unnecessary usage
Schoolchildren have to get up at 5:30am and power outages at night affect their sleep. After paying high electricity bills, residents in Sharjah have to face so much trouble. Power charges were raised and everyone pays the bills without complaint. People staying on higher floors in buildings cannot climb up and down the stairs if they need to go out during a power outage. Also, the weather is stuffy and uncomfortable. Sudden power cuts are absolutely uncalled for. If there is a power shortage, the authorities must declare fixed power cut timings, by area, so that people can manage. Power cuts for hours together is unfair. Every time I pass the used cars area in Sharjah, I see that it is lit up with innumerable lights. I wonder why they need to waste so much power unnecessarily. While we try to use minimum power and save energy, there are people who waste so much. Inevitably the people who take care and save energy face the music. Some systematic solution has to be worked out to stop the sudden uninformed power outages.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah

Tough climb
I am a resident of Al Nahda and we faced a power cut for almost three hours on Tuesday. The building authorities were unable to reach Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) to figure out how much time it would take for the restoration. There was no response on the emergency number either. We request the concerned authorities to at least convey about the outage beforehand. My husband and I were out and I am eight months pregnant. I had to climb the stairs all the way to the seventh floor of my building to reach my apartment.
From Ms M. Zeba Baig
Sharjah

Prior notice
Though it’s very tough to live in apartments without electricity, we need to be told by Sewa so we can at least manage the situation — maybe go out with our families. Consider children, aged people and people who may be ill. Prior information is definitely the way to go. So far, we do not have any information.
From Mr Abbas
Sharjah

Plan it out
I live in Sharjah and our area witnessed a power outage, recently. The authorities should streamline power consumption by reducing streetlights and decorative lights in private and commercial buildings. Ask business establishments to be careful with advertisement boards and illuminated signs. They should also tell people about planned power cuts. I am sure people would appreciate it, as it would help organise our daily lives.
From Mr Mushtaque Rahamat
Sharjah

Candlelit dinner
On Tuesday night, our home in Al Qasimiya had its power cut off suddenly. We were supposed to have dinner at around 9pm. We used a candle while we ate. If Sewa decides to cut off the electricity, they should tell consumers so we are able to prepare with rechargeable lights. I don’t understand why the power is cut off suddenly.
I still remember last year during Ramadan how we had suffered during the power cuts. I wish the Sewa management would do something to avoid the sudden power shortage in future.
From Mr Twain
Sharjah

No information
I am a resident of Sharjah Industrial Area 2. On Tuesday, there was no power for 24 hours! Sewa should at least give us some prior notice. Since I am unmarried, Sewa had taken a deposit for ‘bachelor accommodation’ even though I stay with my siblings. While it seems to be fine to collect money, they seem to have a problem with supplying power. We only ask for the time and duration of the power cuts — they are unwilling to provide that, too.
From Mr Dilshad
Sharjah

Chaotic meeting
We live on the tenth floor and our building had power cuts two days in a row. Our neighbours’ power went off at 2pm. This is the time children come home from school. The mother went to see if there was any lifts working, but they were not. So she took the stairs from the tenth floor to get her children. Somehow they missed each other and her boys took the stairs up to the tenth floor. They kept knocking and screaming for their mother to open it. They waited about 10 minutes or more until she came back. This is not acceptable! We can’t stay indoors without air-conditioning. Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) should have done something earlier. Now summer is here and the power is bound to go. Students have their final examinations — how will they study?
From Ms L. A.
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request