Updated

Millions of people in southeastern India are facing widespread power blackouts for the sixth consecutive day after talks between the government and striking electricity workers failed.

Workers have shut down power plants across Andhra Pradesh state to protest a decision to divide the state into two and create a new state of Telangana.

Most parts of the state went without power for long hours Wednesday. Scores of freight and passenger trains were canceled. Hospitals and drinking water utilities in the state were operating with generators.

Power supply to the adjoining states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also hit.

The town of Vijayanagaram remained under curfew for the third day Wednesday after opponents of the new state set homes and businesses on fire.