In a stark reminder of India's growing vulnerability to digital threats, a major cyberattack has disabled the official website of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) since May 7, 2025. The attack has crippled critical online services including new electricity connections, affecting over 50,000 consumers. The utility is racing against time to restore normalcy as cybersecurity teams work round-the-clock to contain the damage.
New Connections Halted, Consumers Left in Limbo
A targeted cyberattack has brought key operations of UHBVNL, Haryana's northern electricity distribution utility, to a standstill. Beginning May 7, the attack compromised the corporation's official website, rendering it non-functional for new connection requests, technical services, and digital interactions.
Senior officials confirmed the disruption and acknowledged that the cyber intrusion had affected a wide spectrum of consumer services. The website's core functionalities are currently down, and our teams are working on war footing to mitigate the breach and restore the system, a top UHBVNL executive said.
Consumers seeking new power connections or attempting to access bill payments, complaint registration, or other online services have been unable to proceed, causing widespread confusion and service delays across multiple districts.
Cybersecurity Emergency Declared; 48-Hour Recovery Window Expected
The IT and cybersecurity wing of UHBVNL has been mobilized to assess and remediate the incident. Initial reports suggest this was a deliberate and coordinated cyber intrusion, though the exact nature of the malware or the attackers remains under investigation.
Technicians and forensic teams are conducting round-the-clock recovery operations, with expectations that digital services may resume within 48 hours. The breach underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity protocols in India's public utilities, many of which remain underprotected despite the increasing digitization of citizen services.
"This incident is a wake-up call. Cyber resilience must now be integral to critical infrastructure like power distribution," said a state cybersecurity consultant.
Advice for Consumers Amid the Digital Disruption
In the wake of the ongoing digital outage, UHBVNL has issued a public advisory requesting consumers to stay alert and avoid clicking on suspicious links or messages, which may be exploited by cybercriminals attempting phishing or fraud during the downtime.
Consumers who have already applied for new connections are advised to contact their local electricity offices for status updates. Until full digital restoration, the utility recommends using offline methods for bill payment, service requests, and complaints.
The utility has also reiterated that official communication will only be via its primary offices or verified contact numbers, cautioning against third-party intermediaries or unofficial portals.
