Kumçatı electricity outages disrupt education and local life

Persistent electricity outages in the Kumçatı district of Şırnak have caused significant disruptions to local education and daily life. Abdullah Çatı, head of the Şırnak branch of Eğitim-Bir-Sen, reported that the lack of power has disabled water systems in schools, creating hygiene and sanitation risks for students and staff. Furthermore, the outages have hindered administrative tasks by preventing the use of computers, internet, and printers.

Political leaders have also voiced strong opposition to the situation. Yalçın, the Şırnak Provincial Chairman for HÜDA PAR, criticized the distribution company DEDAŞ for leaving approximately 15,000 residents in darkness for periods exceeding 24 hours. While DEDAŞ cited infrastructure renewal and meter relocation as reasons, Yalçın characterized the widespread cuts as a form of ‘collective punishment’ that violates basic human rights. Although electricity has been partially restored following public outcry, officials are calling for permanent infrastructure solutions rather than temporary fixes.