Summertime sadness

Kerala’s extreme summer has raised concerns over the record-high electricity consumption. Records are being rewritten every day while the summer continues to be more brutal than ever. The Indian Meteorological Department warned that the heat may increase further in the coming days. There are days when the temperature in the Palakkad district touches 40 degrees Celsius. It has also been reported that the temperature is likely to rise between 35 and 40 in nine districts, including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. In short, the summer is taking a toll everywhere except Idukki and Wayanad.

Last Tuesday's electricity consumption reached 5933 MW for the first time in history. The excessive use of fans, ACs, and coolers in homes and offices has led to a surge in consumption. The increase in peak hours is pushing KSEB into a crisis. Electricity consumption is highest between 6 pm and 11 pm. KSEB officials believe that if not controlled, restrictions, including load shedding, will have to be imposed. If additional electricity is purchased from outside at the current high rate, it may even be necessary to increase the electricity rate in the coming months. Even if the electricity rate is not increased, owners of many houses with ACs and other equipment are already fearing a shocking tariff rate in the coming months.

Apart from a hike in fuel and cooking gas prices and shortages, the people of the state are battered yet again by the summer and the electricity crisis. The lack of the usual summer rains in April has worsened the trouble. The weather forecast says that the southwest monsoon, which lasts from June to September, is likely to be less this time. It is predicted that the 'El Niño' ​​phenomenon, in which the surface of the Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm, may form in June-July, which will reduce the amount of rain expected across the country. However, there have been instances before when the forecast went wrong, and the state received ample rain. This fact gives little hope.

As the state is experiencing a heat wave, people should be extremely cautious. It is dangerous to go out without wearing a hat and sunglasses during the hot afternoon hours. The Chief Minister has said in a Facebook post that fishermen, bikers, and workers involved in outdoor work should be especially careful. As heat waves can cause sunburn, skin diseases, eye diseases, etc., it is good for everyone to be cautious on their own.

To avoid dehydration, one should make it a habit to drink plenty of boiled water. Meanwhile, some fake information has made it to social media with the intention to mislead people. Authorities have revealed that messages such as the temperature in the state will rise to 45 to 55 degrees Celsius are fake. People should not be panicked by such campaigns.