Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 15: Unscheduled load-shedding continues to affect all the regions in the state, laying bare the emptiness of the promises the ministers and other leaders have been making frequently of late. Production of power has plummeted both at Raichur thermal plant units and Sharavati hydel power project. The scenario is quite worrying, forcing the concerned to think over means to wriggle out of the situation.

One of the thermal power units at Raichur is already undergoing annual maintenance. Another unit was closed down on Monday, July 14. Thermal units also suffer from short supply of quality coal. The state hence is faced with the shortage of 420 mega watts of power. Water level at the Sharavati reservoir is so low that it would be able to generate power only for the next ten days.

Other reservoirs like Nagajhari, Kadra and Kodasalli also have been suffering from lack of rains, leading to suspension of power generation. The power shortage is expected to worsen in the coming weeks unless rain god smiles, KPTCL officials have warned.

The government is trying to improve coal supply to the starving thermal power units. The cabinet has already decided to try the method of cloud sowing to augment rains. The government is consulting experts and is expected to decide on the desirability of such a step within a couple of days.