Severe heatwave to continue in coming days: IMD

livemint.com:

Mint, “With the onset of early summer, beer demand has surged across India. "However, the industry is concerned that supplies may fall short. Prolonged elections and related restrictions are disrupting supply chains all over the country.

There are also inexplicable regulatory hurdles in some big states like a ban on three shift production in Telangana, which, due to its size, can bring down national beer stock availability by 4-5% during summer. Taking all into account industry may be looking at 13-14% growth during summer over last year," Giri said. The heatwave and eventual high temperatures would also lead to higher power consumption with households, offices and commercial spaces using air conditioners.

Power demand has been increasing of late and on 30 April, the peak power demand stood at 224 GW and total energy consumed on Tuesday was 5,108 million units. In FY25, the peak power demand in expected to reach 260 GW, way above the record high of 243 GW hit last year. Further, with falling reservoir levels, the heatwave may have a major impact both on agriculture and hydro power generation.

According to latest data from the Central Water Commission, water level in India’s 150 major reservoirs fell to 30% of their total storage capacity, with eastern and southern India seeing levels depleting rapidly owing to severe heatwave. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura may experience heavy rainfall during the next five days starting from 1 May, the IMD DG said in its prediction for May. The national forecaster further predicted that the South Peninsular Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh will see thunderstorms from 4 May.