A technical accident of unknown origin has cut power to the villages of Aghvanatun, Amberd, Lernamerdz and Tzaghkunk in Armavir Marz. Two streets in the town of Etchmiadzin have also seen their electricity cut. Anahit Mnatsakanyan, at the Department of Support Services of Armenia Electricity, the utility company, says that technicians have still been unable to find what caused the power outage. "An entire repair team is on the job. Their work is being hindered by the rains and dampness," the spokesperson said, adding that in case of an accident, the company is allowed by law to deprive customers of electricity for up to sixteen hours. That deadline has long since passed. Residents of the affected communities have resigned themselves to going without electricity periodically and most have stocked up on candles. They say the power goes dead, on and off, at all hours of the day due to equipment in need of immediate renovation. Shop owners selling perishable items are especially hard hit. Harout, a grocery store owner in Aghvanatun, says he has given up on relying on the utility and has entered into an agreement with a shop owner in Etchmiadzin. When his power goes off, Harout takes his meat and ice cream refrigerators there.