Power cuts leave Chennai residents fuming; protests erupt across city

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Residents question EB officials over prolonged power outages in Chennai on the night of June 8, 2026 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Power cuts caused by load issues, not shortage, says Minister R. Nirmalkumar

At around 2.30 a.m., nearly 100 residents laid siege to the EB office in Arumbakkam, demanding the immediate restoration of power. Expressing anger over recurring power cuts, a resident said, “Those who got our votes are sleeping peacefully in their homes. Should we suffer by standing here at this odd hour and spending sleepless nights without power? I am asking the staff about the daily power cuts we are facing, but they are only addressing today’s problem.”

Police personnel on night patrol reached the spot and attempted to disperse the agitated crowd. Residents, however, questioned whether the personnel could endure the summer heat without electricity, and asked them not to interfere with their protest. The police had a tough time bringing the situation under control.

Residents demanded the immediate restoration of supply, while some pleaded with the staff to rectify the faults at the earliest | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Another resident alleged that an EB staff member had told them that power cuts during the night were unavoidable. “Who gave them the right to say such things? The police need not interfere. Let the MLA come here and give us an assurance,” she said.

Raju, a resident of Ram Nagar, said, “My children are school-going. They are unable to sleep without electricity. How can they attend school in the morning without proper sleep? We came all the way to the EB office to find out when power would be restored. If we call the emergency helpline 1912, either nobody answers the call or we have to wait for a long time. Even when they respond, they only register a complaint and send us a complaint number through SMS. After that, nobody attends to the complaint.”

Ramesh of LIC Nagar said, “We have been facing severe power-related issues since Sunday (J