With nearly 66% average rainfall deficit recorded in August in Telangana, both demand for power on the transmission system and energy consumption have shot up to unprecedented levels during the mid-monsoon period, as most of the rain-fed standing crops are facing severe moisture stress.
Although the overall average rainfall for the June-August period is 11% more than the normal (19% excess or deficit is considered as normal), as per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) statistics, the long dry spell stretching over three weeks in different parts of the State has forced farmers to draw groundwater, wherever possible, to ensure proper growth of the standing crops.
As a result, the peak load of power on the transmission system has been hovering in the range of 14,000 megawatt (MW) to 15,000 MW for the last few days. The daily consumption of energy has been in the range of 260 million units (MU) to 280 MU.
