To save electricity during the current drought conditions in the central region, electric companies in the provinces of Phu Yen, Binh Dinh and Quang Nam have cut off power for hours at a time in many localities.
Numerous offices, factories, schools and hospitals are struggling continue operating without a constant source of power.
The blackouts are not only plaguing businesses and affecting residents’ daily activities, but are also jeopardizing road safety as traffic lights have been shut down as well.
Two days a week, residents in Binh Dinh and Phu Yen have experienced power cuts from 7am until midnight.
Residents in Quang Nam Province, meanwhile, experience periodic power cuts from 7:30am to 10:30pm as the province shuts off power to entire localities in turns.
The parching weather together with the blackouts have sent Quang Nam residents to river banks or beaches to cool off while many children have also been hospitalized with heat-related illnesses.
Quang Nam Electricity said the company has been forced to cut power and with the current long-lasting drought, it might have to increase the number of blackouts to localities each week.
