Power cuts back as rains play truant

MUMBAI: With the monsoon taking an extended break, load-shedding is back in Maharashtra. The state power utility, Maha Vitaran, has been forced to resort to power cuts ranging from an hour to 3-4 hours a day.

“It hasn’t rained much after July 10. We have been experiencing sustained rise in demand since then,” a Maha Vitaran official said. Normally, agriculture activity is at its peak during this season in the state. “Sowing is almost over. This is the time watering is crucial. If there is no enough rain, farmers draw more water and hence, the demand grows,” an official explained. At present, the daily power demand has seen a surge up to 12,500 mw as against the supply of 9,500-10,500 mw.

Typically, the power demand drops around this time with active monsoon. “This year, however, has been an exception though the rains experience a lull. This time, the break is really prolonged,” another official said.

The government’s worry is pretty understandable as the agriculture department is bracing for any eventuality. “We are worried about the first sowing. It will go waste if we don’t get rains in another 2-3 days,” an official from the agriculture directorate said.

Rains have particularly been scanty in Marathwada and Vidrabh regions of the state whereas western Maharashtra has received average rains. Some parts of north Maharashtra, too, have received below-average rainfall.