Heat broke all records; Electricity demand reached 256.11 GW for the first time, IMD issued new guidelines

India Peak Power Consumption Record 2026: Maximum power demand in India reached a record 256.11 GW on Saturday due to the scorching heat across the country, according to data compiled by the power ministry, forcing both domestic and commercial consumers to increase use of air conditioners and other cooling devices. The maximum power demand on Saturday surpassed the previous day’s consumption of 252.07 GW, which was the highest ever.

Senior officials said that power generation in the country was sufficient to meet the demand, so there was no need for power cuts.

Huge jump in electricity consumption

Experts believe that the demand for electricity will increase further. The Ministry of Power estimates that it will be 270 GW for this summer. Officials said that in the beginning of April, due to drop in temperature due to unseasonal rains, the demand for electricity was relatively low, but it has increased rapidly in recent days. However, the continuous rise in temperatures since mid-April has led to a huge surge in power consumption.

Temperature increased by 5 degrees Celsius

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in many areas have risen by 5 degrees Celsius or more above normal, indicating the possibility of heat wave in some parts of the country. The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of severe heat wave across the country from April to June 2026. There is a possibility of higher than normal heat wave in Northern India-Gangetic plains, Central India and Eastern coastal states. Temperatures may exceed 45 degrees Celsius in many areas, and high humidity will further increase the risk to life.

severe heat alert

There is a possibility of severe heat in the months of April, May and June in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. By the end of April itself, heat wave conditions are being seen in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.

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keep yourself hydrated

Excessive heat increases the risk of heat exhaustion and stroke, especially for children, the elderly and outdoor workers. People have been advised to keep themselves hydrated by drinking as much water as possible even if they do not feel thirsty. They have also been urged to avoid outdoor activities during afternoon peak hours and wear light-coloured loose clothing that does not absorb heat and allows air circulation.

With agency input…