Chronic power shortages in Myanmar are leaving cities in the former Burma shrouded in almost permanent blackout, driving its citizens to despair and crippling an economy reeling from decades of military misrule.
As with other problems in the once-prosperous ex-British colony, there is little explanation in the state-controlled media, which abound with pictures of generals inaugurating new hydropower projects and promising sufficient power “next year”.
Few people believe them.
“We haven’t been able to use the washing machine for ages as the power never lasts long enough. It now serves as a laundry basket,” said Yangon housewife Hla Myint, adding that all her other electrical goods were virtually worthless.
“We recently decided to retire the rice cooker and we use the fridge as a cupboard. We’ve unplugged the cable and keep the crockery and glassware inside.”
Diesel Fumes
Small businesses such as photo-processing shops or Internet cafés need portable generators to get by and have to hike prices to reflect the high cost of diesel, nearly all of which is imported.
But the use of generators comes with hidden costs for the wider population, mainly in the form of noise and air pollution.
“With all the blackouts, generator noise, diesel fumes and flash floods in the rainy season due to the choked drains, life here has become horrible,” said Ba Tin, a retired civil servant.
Doctors and psychiatrists say they are having to treat an increased number of respiratory ailments and stress-related conditions, which they attribute to the noise and fumes.
The widespread use of generators also creates a massive fire hazard, and local papers are full of reports of neighbourhoods or blocks burnt to the ground due to an unattended generator overheating.
Many in Yangon believe the blackouts are a deliberate ploy to make the port city in the Irrawaddy delta so insufferable that government workers and others will be happy to move to the Nay Pyi Taw, which remains little more than a building site.
“It’s very strange that all the roads are brightly lit even though they are almost deserted day and night, while the crowded roads in Yangon have no lights,” economics student Saw Lwin said.
“You can’t help wondering if the government is forcing all of us to go and settle in Nay Pyi Taw,” added his father, Ba Tin. “With the daily blackouts here every day, we can’t do anything.”
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Tags: blackout, power outage
