UP Power Crisis: Power System Buckles Under Scorching Heat; Frustrated Residents Take to the Streets in Lucknow UP Power Crisis: Electricity system failed in the scorching heat, upset people took to the streets in Lucknow

In Uttar Pradesh, the power crisis has taken a severe form due to the harsh attitude of Sun God and severe heat wave. Due to not much difference between day and night temperatures, there is a cult demand for electricity 24 hours a day. Due to this heavy load, the electricity system of the entire state has collapsed.

Despite no announced cuts in many parts of the state including the capital Lucknow, supply is being disrupted for hours due to local faults, transformer overloading and burning of Aerial Bunch Conductor (ABC). The diplomatic echo of the power crisis is now being heard at the government level also; Cabinet Minister Aseem Arun met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and raised the tough issue of power cuts in his area Kannauj.

Dam of public patience broken in Lucknow, huge ruckus on the streets

Electricity consumption in Lucknow city Record level of 1,853 MW It has reached this level, which has brought the entire system of Lucknow Integrated Supply Authority (LESA) to its knees. The anger of the public, troubled by low-voltage and hours-long unannounced power cuts, burst onto the streets on Monday and Tuesday.

There was traffic jam in these areas: In the areas connected to RDSO, Rajajipuram, FCI, Utrethia, Ahibaranpur, Faizullaganj, Dawood Nagar, Chowk, Kamta and Nadarganj sub-centres of Lucknow, troubled citizens took to the streets and created huge ruckus, created traffic jams and even fought with the electricity employees.

Cult demand like June in May itself, all records are being broken

Usually, the maximum demand for electricity reaches its peak in the humid heat of June, but this year in the month of May itself, the demand figures are touching the records of previous years.

Continuously increasing demand for electricity in May 2026 (in MW):

May 18 was the wettest day recorded this year, when 617.1 million units of electricity was supplied in the state. Comparatively, the maximum supply in the month of June in the year 2024 was 659.5 million units and in the year 2025 it was 655.9 million units. This time in May itself, the graph of minimum supply has gone much higher than the previous years, due to which there is a possibility of a bigger crisis in the coming days.

Why are transformers blowing? Strict diplomatic analysis of experts

These days, on an average, more than 700 transformers are blowing every day in Uttar Pradesh. Experts in the power sector have given two biggest reasons behind this:

1. Poor quality ABC wires and short circuit

According to State Electricity Consumer Council Chairman Awadhesh Kumar Verma, the biggest reason for the interruption of power supply at this time is the burning of Aerial Bunch Conductor (ABC). When the load increases, these cables burn, causing a severe short circuit and directly blowing the transformer. He has raised serious questions on the quality of ABC. He also alleged that diplomatic pressure is being put on consumers to pass on the cost of installing new transformers in undeveloped colonies and multi-storey buildings.

2. More than 25% of transformers have completed their life.

General Secretary of Electricity Council Engineers Association, Jitendra Singh Gurjar has exposed another bitter reality of the system. According to him, more than 25 percent of the total transformers installed in Uttar Pradesh have completed their life span. These transformers have crossed their maximum overhauling limit, due to which they are proving to be completely unable to bear the severe load of extreme heat.