The power crisis in Mohali deepened further on Saturday with the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) ordering a closure of three days, from 8 am on Saturday to 8 am on Tuesday every week, for industries in the state. The 72-hour compulsory weekly power cut for general industries, imposed from 8 am this morning, follows the 60-hour closure announced last week.

On the domestic and commercial front, the daily power cuts have stretched up to 12 to 16 hours for urban areas. And even when power is supplied, it is in short intervals with voltage fluctuating to painfully low levels.

To worsen matters, the mercury level is touching new heights with the present temperature hovering around the 42-degree-Celsius mark. And with water supply also affected, the power shortage has almost thrown normal life out of gear. The industrialists, meanwhile, threaten a mass exodus to neighbouring states for their survival, while the general public has warned of launching large-scale agitation against the state Government.