Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Keralam Heat, Reduced Rainfall Push Electricity Demand to Summer Levels
Kerala experienced unusually hot weather on Monday.
Punalur was the hottest place, reaching 36.5°C.
Several other places were also more than three degrees hotter than usual.
There was less rain than expected, which added to the heat.
People used more electricity, likely for cooling and other needs.
Electricity demand reached levels usually seen in summer.
Power availability was also reduced because supplies from outside Kerala were limited.
Some parts of Thiruvananthapuram therefore faced a 20-minute power restriction.
Punalur recorded Kerala’s highest temperature at 36.5°C, 4.6°C above normal.
Several Kerala locations recorded temperatures more than three degrees above normal.
Reduced rainfall and high temperatures pushed electricity demand to summer-like levels.
The Kerala State Electricity Board said demand was about 1,100 MW above previous September levels.
A 20-minute power restriction was imposed in parts of Thiruvananthapuram after supply pressures intensified.
- Who
- Kerala residents, the India Meteorological Department, and the Kerala State Electricity Board were involved.
- What
- Unusually high temperatures coincided with summer-level electricity demand and a brief power restriction in parts of Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- Monday, September 14, with high demand also reported during the preceding days.
- Where
- Kerala, including Punalur, Kollam, Kottayam, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- Reduced rainfall, relatively high temperatures, lower power availability, and a national electricity shortage increased pressure on Kerala’s power system.
- Highest temperature
- Punalur recorded 36.5°C, which was 4.6°C above normal.
- Other high reading
- Kottayam recorded 35.0°C, 4.1°C above normal.
- Electricity demand
- Peak demand was about 1,100 MW higher than demand during September in previous years.
- National power shortage
- The KSEB reported a 12,000-MW shortage at the national level that had not been fully resolved.
- Missed power supply
- Kerala could not receive 200 MW from Madhya Pradesh under a swap arrangement.
- Additional power arranged
- The KSEB arranged an additional 90 MW.
- Restriction
- A 20-minute power restriction was imposed in some parts of Thiruvananthapuram.