Corroded poles leave Byrnihat without power in sweltering heat

Shillong: A nine-hour blackout hit the northern edge of Ri Bhoi this weekend. Residents in Khanapara-Byrnihat lost power on Saturday afternoon when two aging electricity poles snapped in Amjok. The heat is punishing. Families have resorted to crossing into Assam just to escape the sweltering temperature inside their homes.

F Myrthong, Executive Engineer at the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited, confirmed the hardware failed due to years of heavy corrosion from local pollution. He noted that a large crew is working to fix the grid. "A 15-member repair crew has since been deployed to the site, working through the day to restore power," Myrthong said.

Crews are swapping the old metal for new, galvanized poles designed to survive the industrial grime. Officials expect the lights to return by 8 am. This failure adds more stress to a town already struggling with national scrutiny over its air quality. Residents now deal with failing infrastructure while living in one of the world's most polluted industrial spots.