Scheduled black out

As of 2008, approximately 23% of electric power comes from nuclear power plants in Japan.
Therefore, if the nuclear power plants are damaged, it would be likely for power companies to cut the supply in order to meet the balance between demand and supply.

This is occurring in Japan.
The nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture in Japan was heavily damaged by the quake on 11th, March.
Though the company as well as the government is trying to cool the plant, this does not mean the recovery of the nuclear plants.
This means the prevention effort from nuclear disaster.
Power supply is now short to meet the demand.
The company has decided to cut the power supply to some extent.
This is called "the scheduled black out".
They have divided the Kanto area (the south of the nuclear power plant, 200 km away) into 5 groups.
Day by day they decide what group should be cut the power supply and how long.

No exception about customers.
The trains would be shut the operation. Many stores would be forced to close.
Poor electric power supply might affect manufacturing of food, water,etc.
People those who are afraid of the shortage of foods rush to stores, supermarkets.
People tend to buy more than they need. This cause the real shortage of foods.
The goverment has announced that there are enough foods and people don't need to be afraid.
Worse than this, evacuatee can not buy the foods they need due to the shortage caused by non-evacuee.

This shortage is occurring on the gasoline (petroleum).
People drive around for it but gas stations don't have it to sell !

So the life like this goes around here in Japan.