‘Ice-cold water has become a distant memory’ - Month-long power outage robs south Manchester residents of simple pleasures

I never imagined surviving 48 hours without electricity, let alone an entire month. But that has become the harsh reality for me and many other residents in southern Manchester. The lack of electricity has also severely impacted cell service. For weeks, I've found myself standing in a specific corner of one room, the only spot where my usually undercharged cell phone works.

I'm used to keeping my fan on, even on cool days or nights, but since the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, I've had to sleep with my windows open. The heat is unbearable, and the relentless mosquitoes create an irritating orchestra in my ears, seizing every chance to bite.

Getting to my Grove Town home before dark has become essential. Apart from a few shops with generators, my community plunges into complete darkness every evening. Navigating my way to my door is tricky, especially if my phone is dead.

Meal preparation, once a routine task, is now a challenge. Cooking for more than a day is pointless; leftovers often spoil by morning. Despite my aversion to canned food, it has become my best option. Fresh meat has to be bought in small quantities, either the day before or on the day I plan to use it.

The simple pleasure of a cold beverage is something I never thought I'd miss so much. Ice-cold water has become a distant memory.

I took for granted how important a working battery-powered radio is until now. My family has one, but it barely works. The Olympic Games, which my family and I eagerly anticipated, is passing us by. We've been waiting eagerly to cheer on our favourite athletes, but we're missing out on it all.

Thankfully, some clothes don't require ironing. Heating an iron on the stove to press clothes is not only tedious, but incredibly frustrating.

This power outage has been a true test of resilience. Every day is a struggle, and we desperately yearn for the return of electricity to bring some normality back into our lives.