Kerala Prepares for Record Electricity Demand Amidst Sweltering Heat
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert across several districts in Kerala as temperatures soar. Predictions suggest that maximum temperatures in Palakkad and Kollam districts could reach 38 degrees Celsius from March 15 to 19. Additionally, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Kozhikode districts may experience temperatures climbing to 37 degrees Celsius, while Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Thrissur districts are expected to see temperatures around 36 degrees Celsius, marking a 2 to 4 degrees Celsius increase above normal levels. This heatwave is likely to affect crop yields significantly, as evidenced by a recent study showing that even a one-degree increase in temperature can reduce yields by up to 14 percent, particularly impacting paddy and pulses production.
Electricity Consumption Peaks in Kerala Amid Rising Temperatures
As temperatures soar in Kerala, electricity consumption has reached unprecedented levels, with demand peaking at 5076 MW on Thursday evening. To meet this demand, the state board is procuring electricity at high costs from the power exchange, exceeding Rs 10 crore daily. However, financial constraints pose challenges, making load shedding impractical despite the soaring demand. With evening power demand consistently surpassing 5,000 MW over four consecutive days, and usage projected to increase further, the state faces significant financial pressure, prompting the government to sanction the purchase of additional electricity under a long-term contract.
