The ongoing 30-minute load-shedding during evening peak hours is now being extended by another 15 minutes till the monsoon arrives in full force and replenishes the reservoirs.

Kerala sources as much as 70 per cent of its demand from its hydel generating stations and buys the rest in costly liquid-fired power from outside.

The load-shedding will be resorted to between 6.45 pm and 11.15 pm, according to an official spokesman.

The situation got worse from yesterday with a series of shut-downs at upcountry central generating stations as well as back home at NTPC Kayamkulam. Among the central stations affected were Talcher (unit no 3) and Ramagundam.

Shutdown of Sabarigiri, second largest hydel station in the State, had already meant a shortfall of 400 MW.

It was subsequent to this that the public utility Kerala State Electricity Board began sourcing costly supplies from NTPC Kayamkulam.

Even here, one generator has shut down from last night. The board has been incurring a loss of at least Rs 10 crore every day buying costly power from here.

The shortfall in supply was estimated at 620 MW yesterday for the State as a whole.

On the other hand, enhanced humid conditions and muggy weather ahead of the onset of monsoon has ratcheted up consumption levels to 3520 MW during peak hours.

According to sources, it will take some time to get Kayamkulam back on the mainstream. Ramagundam will start generating to full potential only from June 13.

The Board has entered into an agreement with suppliers outside to ferry in 1,400 MW. But this has not taken effect since there is no effective mechanism for evacuation of same. `

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