Lyn Frans
Residents of Upanga in Dar es Salaam were left grappling with a challenging situation as a prolonged power outage lasting 8 hours forced them to vacate their rooms in search of fresh air.
The unexpected power cut plunged the vicinity into total silence, except the sound of humming generators coming from a few privileged homes.
The situation prompted many residents to seek relief outside their homes due to the lack of ventilation and cooling systems. The extended outage not only disrupted daily activities but also highlighted the vulnerability of the area to such utility failures.
In response to the prolonged power cut, residents expressed frustration and inconvenience. Many highlighted the discomfort caused by the lack of electricity, especially in hot and humid conditions. Some residents voiced concerns about the impact on essential services and daily routines, emphasizing the need for reliable power supply.
Majaliwa Mushi , who was visibly angry explained amidst fanning himself with a card,”my light was “on and off” since yesterday. Today it became stable for just a couple of hours in the morning , then it went off again around mid-day, i was hopeful it will return after an hour or two, but no, 8-long hours without light to refrigerate the fish and chicken i bought at the Kisutu market just yesterday. This is no longer bearable as my table top fridge might also get damaged in the process” he fumed.
Strapping her newly born-baby at her back and holding another in hand, Amina Bernard, said her kids are unable to sleep,especially the newly born and she has developed reddish rashes all over her body due to the heat. “the heat is unbearable so I’m just standing outside for some breeze to allow my baby to have some sleep, if this continues again tomorrow i don’t know the outcome “.
Francis Seidu, another resident surprisingly looked unperturbed as he has his power bank fully charged , enjoying some good music while he seats comfortably. When our reporter walked to him to share a few words, Francis only muttered these words in Swahili”Hamna Shida, Niko poa kabisa”(There is no problem , I’m very fine).
Francis , obviously is fine because he has perhaps become used to the nationwide power rationing situation , and has readied himself by charging his power bank to the fullest.
As residents gathered outside their homes seeking respite from the stifling indoor conditions, community members who shared their experiences and exchanged stories of coping strategies during the outage off camera, the situation underscored the importance of reliable electricity infrastructure in urban areas.
Authorities were urged to address the issue promptly to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the welfare of residents in Upanga and across Dar es Salaam.
Regions connected to Tanzania’s national grid are to bear with the authorities at TANESCO as the situation urgently is being addressed by government.
A statement from Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) called for calm and understanding and stressing that experts are working to fix the issue and restore electricity to it fullest use.
Other affected regions includes many cities in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Dodoma, Mbeya, Tanga, Pwani, Morogoro, Mwanza, Tabora, Kigoma, Singida, Njombe, Iringa, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Geita, Kagera, Ruvuma.
Indeed the 8-hour daytime power outage in Upanga, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, highlighted the challenges faced by residents when essential services are disrupted. As residents coped with the outage by seeking fresh air outside their homes, the event serves as a reminder of the need for improved infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate the impact of such disruptions in the future.
