Nepalese controlled blackouts hit 14 hours a day; TV station protests with “candle bulletin”
Kathmandu, Nepal (AHN) – Nepal’s state-owned energy supplier has decided to increase nationwide power cuts by 14 hours, starting Monday. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) blamed falling water levels in rivers as the main culprit behind the need to cut back. Government officials also warned that the situation could worsen in May, with blackouts effecting 18 hours a day.
Due to lack of storage projects, Nepal has been facing severe power cuts in the last six years, with no foreseeable remedy. To avert the crisis, the government has been mulling generating electricity through a geothermal plant and importing additional electricity from India to meet rising demand.
One of Nepal’s prominent news channels, Kantipur, is protesting the cuts and has begun broadcasting a “lantern bulletin” highlighting the woes caused by the blackouts. The bulletin consists of anchors delivering the 7:00 am news lit only by candles.
“It is unfortunate that Nepalis, even in the 21st century, are compelled to live in darkness due to policy makers’ lack of vision,” KTV said in a statement. It added that KTV wants light instead of darkness and progress and prosperity in lieu of poverty.
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