World | India
Kerala imposes power cut after monsoon rains fail to show up
With no sign of monsoon rains in sight, the government in the southern state of Kerala has imposed half-an-hour daily load-shedding from Friday in an effort to tackle the state's power shortage.
- By Akhel Mathew, Correspondent
- Published: 00:04 June 28, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram: With no sign of monsoon rains in sight, the government in the southern state of Kerala has imposed half-an-hour daily load-shedding from Friday in an effort to tackle the state's power shortage.
Kerala depends primarily on hydroelectric power and scant rain in June when it normally receives abundant rain, has forced the government to impose load shedding.
State power minister A.K. Balan said the move was in the wake of a "grave power crisis due to weak monsoon and cut in the state's share from the central power pool".
Kerala's total power demand during peak hours is estimated at 2,700 mega watts and the weak monsoon has reduced power generation from hydro electric projects to 1,000 MW.
The state's dams usually fill up in June and July after the monsoon rains, but an estimated 40 per cent rainfall deficiency coupled with a blast at one of its power generating stations has put the grid in strain.
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