Continuing intense heat and rising electricity demand appear to be pushing the city’s ageing power infrastructure to its limits, with exclusive fire department data revealing that more than half of all fire emergencies reported this month so far were linked to electrical infrastructure failures. Transformers caught fire in many areas of Lucknow in the past few days. (For Representation) Data accessed from the Lucknow fire department shows that between May 1 and May 22, the city recorded 314 fire incidents. Of them, 158 cases (over 50%) were linked directly or indirectly to transformers, electric poles, overhead wires and air-conditioners. Electrical poles and overhead wire-related incidents formed the biggest chunk with 115 cases, followed by 39 transformer fires. Four incidents were linked to air-conditioners catching fire amid continuous usage during peak summer. The data reflects the growing strain on Lucknow’s power distribution network as temperatures continue to hover above normal levels and electricity consumption surges across residential and commercial areas. Several parts of the city like Chinhat, Faizullaganj, have simultaneously been witnessing long power cuts, voltage …