Load-shedding remains despite rains

SHILLONG, June 25: More than two months have gone by since the introduction of what is being dubbed as one of the most rigorous load-shedding this year. However, uncertainty looms owing to the state government’s silence on whether the load shedding will be relaxed or removed.
Moreover, after the monsoon arrived in the state, the water level in Umiam reservoir improved considerably.
On June 8, the water level at the reservoir was 3,162 feet, which was its lowest. But a substantial amount of rainfall in Shillong and other parts of the state contributed in the rise of the water level to 3,188 feet, as on June 24.
Although the rise is not exponential, the government has not spoken about the load-shedding scenario in the state.
At present, the power is cut for 3 hours during the afternoon then about 5-6 hours starting midnight.
Facing one of its worst power crisis, the government wants to be prudent to ensure that Meghalaya does not have to face the same situation in the future.
“The power situation has improved because of the generous rainfall. We have seen improvement but at the same time it is important for us to be prudent,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had said earlier.
The CM had maintained that there has to be some kind of plan for maintaining the overall water levels in the different power generating units.