Power outages rampant as demand soars in TS

HYDERABAD: The requirement for electricity has skyrocketed throughout the summer, despite the regular spells of rain, with discoms unable to fulfil the rising demand, resulting in frequent power outages that are having an adverse impact on the people.

Power demand grew to 13,368 MW on Friday, compared to 13,257 MW on the same day last year.

On Friday, the highest demand for power was registered by the southern discom at 8,562 MW and by northern discom at 4m682 MW. Power utilities  have already predicted that summertime peak demand could reach 16,000 MW.

Official sources claimed that transmission line breaks, transformer failures and other field-level issues had impacted power supply. Southern discom staff stated that restoring power supply within GHMC limits was their top priority even as people in rural areas and the city outskirts are frequently facing power outages.

People in West Marredpally, Alwal, Medchal, Miyapur, Shamirpet, Vanasthalipuram, Sanathnagar and other areas, for example, experienced power outages due to unseasonal rainfall and winds uprooting electrical poles and affecting power supply.

Mohan Rao, a retired employee, stated that the state government promised to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply but has failed to do so. When contacted, a senior official at Vidyut Soudha stated that all efforts are being taken to avoid power outages throughout the summer.

A few villages witnessed frequent power cuts in north Telangana districts although the need for electricity in the agricultural sector reduced as the ensuing Yasangi season ended. Recent temperature fluctuations have decreased the power demand for standing crops.