Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Vijay Reviews Power Outages as Protests Spread Across Tamil Nadu
Many people in Tamil Nadu have been losing electricity during a heatwave.
Some outages have lasted as long as two hours, including at night.
People in several cities protested and blocked roads because they wanted the power restored.
The outages have made homes uncomfortable and affected businesses, farms and industries.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited the power utility’s headquarters in Chennai.
He asked officials why the outages happened and how they were responding.
He also reviewed how much electricity was being generated and purchased.
Officials discussed whether the available power could meet higher demand.
The government has not yet said when the outages will end.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited the state power utility headquarters in Chennai amid widespread complaints about unannounced outages.
Power cuts lasting up to two hours were reported in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and other districts.
Residents blocked roads and protested outside electricity offices, citing nighttime outages and heatwave conditions.
Vijay questioned officials about complaints, causes of interruptions, electricity generation, purchased power and rising demand.
The government has not announced a timetable for ending the outages or further measures following the inspection.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, electricity officials, residents, businesses, farmers and industrial users.
- What
- The Chief Minister reviewed unannounced electricity outages and the state’s ability to meet increased demand.
- When
- During a heatwave, as complaints and protests over outages were increasing.
- Where
- At the state power utility headquarters, a power station and a distribution centre in Chennai; outages were also reported in Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and other districts.
- Why
- Electricity demand increased during the heatwave, while residents and other users experienced disruptions and sought explanations and restored supply.
Residents and affected users
State authorities
Reliability of electricity supply
Residents and affected users
Residents demanded restored power and explanations for unannounced cuts, especially during the night and amid intense heat.
State authorities
Authorities reviewed generation, purchased electricity, available supply and measures for responding to interruptions.
Impact of the outages
Residents and affected users
Residents said the cuts disrupted households and led to road blockades, while businesses, farms and industries were also affected.
State authorities
The government focused on strengthening infrastructure, meeting increased demand and improving the handling of consumer complaints.
- Reported outage duration
- Up to two hours
- Affected locations
- Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and other districts
- Public response
- Residents blocked roads and protested outside electricity offices
- Issues reviewed
- Consumer complaints, outage causes, electricity generation, purchased power and demand
- Officials consulted
- Electricity Minister Nirmal Kumar, power utility chairman Arun Rai and Green Energy Corporation managing director Sridhar
- Government timetable
- No timetable for ending the outages had been announced in the available information