As the state continues to reel under an intense and prolonged heatwave, concerns over a growing power crisis have further added to public distress. Unscheduled power cuts in several areas and prolonged electricity disruptions in others have reportedly left residents struggling to cope with the harsh summer conditions.

People across different parts of Odisha are expressing frustration over erratic power supply. While some areas are witnessing frequent unannounced outages, residents in several places are reportedly facing electricity cuts lasting for hours, prompting anger and criticism against power distribution companies.

The situation has become increasingly difficult as soaring temperatures have led to a sharp rise in electricity consumption. According to available data, the Odisha government is purchasing additional electricity through the power exchange mechanism to bridge the supply-demand gap.

Reports indicate that the state’s peak-hour electricity demand has reached around 6,600 MW, while there remains a shortfall of nearly 55 MW. To manage the deficit and ensure uninterrupted supply, the government is reportedly procuring power at a rate of Rs 3.85 per unit through power exchanges.

Meanwhile, the Union Power Ministry has also acknowledged the unprecedented rise in electricity demand across the country this year. Officials attribute the surge to the severe heatwave conditions, which have significantly increased the use of cooling appliances and power consumption, resulting in record-breaking demand nationwide.