Bangalore faces worst power cuts in 5 years

Bangalore: In South India, a shortfall in rains has aggravated an acute power crisis. Production is down at hydel plants because reservoirs did not receive adequate water.

With a shortfall of almost 700 megawatts in Bangalore, the city is seeing unscheduled power cuts across the day which many say is the worst in the last five years.

Schools are one of the most badly affected in the city due to the frequent power cuts.

"There are so many power cuts in a day, it's very difficult, as children can't read the books and also it gets very hot for them," says Tender Feet Playhome teacher, Anuradha Murthy.

What is making things worse is that Bangalore has seen an increase in power consumption by almost 30 per cent.

The situation is aggravating as the rains are still weak over the region. And load shedding has already been introduced in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On Friday, the Karnataka government announced that it would also start load shedding from July 21.

However, all this is clearly not worrying the state Chief Minister, BS Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, as while announcing in his budget on Friday he promised free power to farmers in the state.

"The power shortage is temporary, what we will give to farmers, when we give it, will be free. I believe in god, I'm sure in the next one week, he will ensure good rains to fill our reservoirs," says Yeddyurappa.

The CM is seeking divine intervention to solve the power crisis, meanwhile as the power cuts continue unabated, Bangaloreans are clearly feeling the pinch.

"I can't watch TV because of the power cuts," says Tender Feet Playhome student, Ajay.

Although the city's electricity board, BESCOM say that there is no need to hit the panic button. But they do agree that at the moment the only way to come out of the crisis is through load shedding.

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