THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the summer getting hotter, power consumption in the state has reached an all-time high. As on March 15, the state's electricity consumption was 89.61 million units. Around the same time last, on March 19, 2019, the highest consumption was 88.47 million units. The average daily consumption was 87 million units last month, up from 78 million units in March. Consumption was 87.87 million units yesterday.

The sharp rise was due to higher temperatures resulting in higher power consumption for drinking water, including irrigation pumps, and increased use of air conditioners, coolers and fans.

Summer got severe due to low summer rainfall, hot winds from the northern states and warmer seas. If the summer rains do not show up, the heat will go even higher.

The Electricity Board has made preparations in view of the summer consumption. Dams have reserve water. Seven dams including Idukki, Pampa, Kaki, Sholayar, Edamalayar, Kundala and Mattupetty have 56 percent reserve water. The water level in Idukki, the largest dam, is 2,363 feet. All dams of the board have 2,246 million units of water to generate electricity. With this, power can be generated until June 30. Idukki generates an average of 11 million units of electricity per day. The consumption has increased to 14 million. Power can be purchased through power exchange in case of emergency. The availability of 250 MW of power has been ensured through the contract.