India, June 14 -- In the thick of summer, just when the tricity needs its fans, coolers and air-conditioners the most, the power goes out, snatching away even the faintest hope of comfort.

As June, the hottest month of the year unfolds, residents are trapped in stifling heat through the day and even the night is showing no mercy. High humidity is only adding to the misery.

And then, the final straw breaking the residents' back is stretched power cuts, some scheduled, some unannounced - leaving residents sweating round the clock.

The worst-hit is Mohali, where rotational power cuts rolled out on Thursday, with officials blaming severe overloading - a result of non-stop use of cooling appliances.

Despite the Punjab government's claims o...