In June, power demand in north India surged 22% on-year as a prolonged heatwave gripped the region. Temperature rose 5-8^oC above normal, leading to considerably higher consumption of power for cooling appliances.

The fallout of heatwave was felt in other regions of the country as well. Power consumption in the north-eastern, eastern, and western regions increased 8.3%, 7.8% and 3.5% on-year, respectively. The only respite was in the southern states, where power demand declined 5.1%.

The situation is unlikely to improve in a hurry pan India. Despite the southwest monsoon arriving early this year, data from 724 districts between June 1 and July 4 shows that 38% of the districts received deficient rainfall. And the north¹ continues to reel, with half the 209 districts registering deficient rainfall. In the west as well, 33% of the 159 districts were in deficit. In contrast, only 10% of the southern region’s 147 districts had deficit rainfall.