India's heatwave season has lasted for over 10 days, placing growing pressure on local energy supply as many parts of the country reel under extreme temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius.
The heatwave conditions have intensified over recent years with longer and harsher summers. Indian residents are experiencing temperatures 4-10 degrees Celsius above what is usual for the season, pushing energy demand to a record high.
In Delhi, during the scorching heat of May, peak power demand touched almost 8,500 megawatts, the highest recorded this year.
The India Meteorological Department predicts that maximum temperatures will remain above normal for most regions in the days to come.
Many in the country are now anxiously awaiting the monsoon season, which was supposed to have arrived in south India but is running behind schedule.
The monsoon delivers about 70 percent of annual rains to replenish crucial water sources, with almost half of farmland lacking irrigation and about half the population earning its livelihood from farming. Projections indicate that India will receive its lowest rainfall in 11 years this monsoon season.
Experts said the developing Super El Nino pattern this year, which warms surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is likely to weaken the monsoon, putting millions of farmers at risk.
The low rainfall is expected to weigh on economic growth and increase inflation through higher food prices.
In past El Nino years, below-average rainfall in India sometimes triggered severe droughts that reduced crop yields and led to curbs on grain exports.
Extreme temperatures persist in India, threatening energy supply
