Hyderabad SITE Area Loses Power for Over 24 Hours as Monsoon Rains Halt 360 Factories
Heavy monsoon rains triggered a power outage lasting over 24 hours in Hyderabad's SITE industrial area, bringing 360 factories to a standstill. The Hyderabad SITE Association has urged the Sindh government to fix drainage and road infrastructure before next monsoon season.
Heavy monsoon rains have brought industrial production in Hyderabad's SITE (Special Industrial and Trading Estate) area to a near-standstill, with factories reporting electricity outages lasting more than 24 hours, flooded roads blocking workers from reaching their workplaces, and rainwater entering production halls. The Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry issued a joint statement on August 5, 2026, warning that years of neglected drainage and road infrastructure have turned every monsoon into an industrial crisis.
What Happened on the Ground
When heavy rains hit Hyderabad this week, the SITE area — one of Pakistan's larger inland industrial clusters — was left without electricity for over a day. Rainwater flooded the access roads and seeped inside several factory premises, forcing units to suspend operations entirely. Workers who did attempt to commute faced severe difficulty navigating the submerged and potholed roads.
The Association's leadership — Chairman Zubair Ghanghra, Senior Vice Chairman Amir Shahab, Vice Chairman Essar Kumar, and General Secretary Mohammad Shahid Qaimkhani — stated that the situation was foreseeable and preventable. They noted that the association had repeatedly petitioned the Sindh government for drainage upgrades and road repairs ahead of the monsoon season, but no timely action was taken.
The Scale of Hyderabad's Industrial Zone
The stakes are significant. According to the Association, the Hyderabad SITE area currently has 360 operational industrial units, down from a peak of 425. Together, these units contribute approximately Rs. 1 billion in taxes to the government. Every day of disrupted production represents lost output, delayed orders, and wage pressure on industrial labour — a workforce the Association says is already under strain.
- Active units: 360 (down from 425 at peak capacity)
- Annual tax contribution: approximately Rs. 1 billion
- Duration of post-rain power outage: over 24 hours
- Governing body: Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry
- Relevant DISCO: HESCO (Hyderabad Electric Supply Company), which serves industrial and domestic consumers in Hyderabad and surrounding Sindh districts
Industry Demands and Government Accountability
The Association's joint statement called on the Sindh government to take concrete, advance measures before next year's monsoon — specifically, functional stormwater drainage, road repairs, and a coordinated emergency response plan for power restoration. The leaders argued that industrial areas of national economic importance should not be left vulnerable to infrastructure failures that are predictable months in advance.
The 65-unit drop from 425 to 360 operating factories suggests that the SITE area was already under long-term stress before this week's rains. Persistent outages, poor connectivity, and unreliable utility supply are frequently cited by industrialists across Sindh as drivers of unit closures and underinvestment.
Frequently Asked
Questions about this story
Which DISCO is responsible for electricity supply to Hyderabad's SITE industrial area?
HESCO (Hyderabad Electric Supply Company) is the distribution company responsible for supplying electricity to Hyderabad city and surrounding Sindh districts, including the SITE industrial zone.How long was the Hyderabad SITE area without electricity after the recent rains?
According to the Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry, the area remained without electricity for over 24 hours following the heavy monsoon rains.How many factories are currently operating in Hyderabad's SITE area?
As of August 2026, 360 industrial units are operating in Hyderabad's SITE area, down from a previous peak of 425 units.Can industrial consumers claim compensation for a 24-hour power outage from their DISCO?
Yes, under NEPRA's consumer protection regulations, industrial consumers affected by unplanned supply interruptions may file a formal complaint with NEPRA or their relevant DISCO — in this case HESCO — and may be eligible for supply interruption compensation depending on the duration and nature of the outage.What has the Hyderabad SITE Association asked the government to do?
The Association has urged the Sindh government to repair drainage infrastructure, fix flooded roads, and establish a monsoon emergency response plan to prevent future shutdowns — measures they say were repeatedly requested before this year's rains but not acted upon.
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