State likely to face power cuts today as well; Restrictions between 7 pm and midnight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has warned that the state may face power restrictions of 15 minutes to half an hour on Thursday as well. Partial power interruptions are likely between 7 pm and midnight.

Several parts of the state experienced partial power restrictions yesterday as well. The KSEB said the restrictions were imposed due to the shortage of electricity at the national level.

Kerala is facing a peak-time power shortage of around 600 to 700 megawatts. KSEB explains that the crisis has been attributed to the unavailability of sufficient power from the power exchange and reduced rainfall.

Power supply was disrupted for 15 to 30 minutes in several areas after 7 pm yesterday. The officials said the decline in electricity generation from various sources is also contributing to the crisis. The Grid Controller of India has ddirected states not to draw more electricity from the grid than their allotted share and to impose load shedding if necessary. The demand for additional electricity in South India alone is estimated at 1.5 gigawatts. Reduced rainfall and the resulting rise in temperatures have also increased electricity consumption in Kerala.