Lengthy power outages reported in Chin State’s Paletwa Twsp

By DMG 29 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
29 June 2022, Paletwa, Chin State

There has been no electricity in much of Chin State’s Paletwa Township for three days due to a prolonged power outage, according to locals.

Electricity generated from a diesel-fired power plant is typically supplied to households in Paletwa, but there has been a widespread power outage in Paletwa since June 27. The lack of electricity to locals is due to a shortage of fuel, according to officials at the power plant.

The shortage of fuel has been attributed to the operational suspension of a state-owned vessel that plies a water route between Paletwa and Kyauktaw, as well as restrictions on fuel imports, locals said.

“Fuel prices have skyrocketed when compared with the past. Even with rising fuel prices, there is no one to sell to,” a local said.

Electricity has been provided to households in Paletwa from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on a rotating basis for the past six months. Despite fuel shortages, locals are worried that health and social issues will arise in the evenings due to the power outages.

“If we do not have regular electricity, we will have to use candles and solar panels for power,” another Paletwa resident said.

Paletwa Township shares a border with Arakan State and much of its population relies on neighbouring Kyauktaw Township to supply food and household items.

The Myanmar military has recently restricted imports of fuel and construction materials such as cement and steel to Paletwa.