Mysuru: Residents across Karnataka, including Mysuru, may have to brace for power cuts as the State faces an acute electricity shortage and maintenance work at major power-generating stations is expected to affect supply.

According to a public advisory cited by Star of Mysore, load shedding is likely during the morning and evening peak hours. Power cuts are expected between 5 am and 9 am and again from 6 pm to 10 pm. Consumers have been urged to cooperate and make necessary arrangements in advance.

Power shortage likely to affect consumers

The electricity shortage comes at a time when Karnataka is already facing pressure on its power availability. The advisory attributed the situation to insufficient power availability in the State.

The anticipated load shedding may not always follow a fixed schedule. While some outages may be announced in advance, consumers could also face unscheduled interruptions depending on local supply conditions.

The situation could particularly affect households, commercial establishments and businesses that depend on uninterrupted electricity during peak hours.

Senior citizens and people with health concerns have been advised to take precautions and make arrangements in advance in view of the possibility of prolonged or unexpected power interruptions.

RTPS and BTPS maintenance to add to pressure

Maintenance work at two major thermal power stations is expected to further affect electricity availability.

The Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) and Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) will undergo maintenance, with temporary outages expected to continue for around 10 to 15 days.

Several parts of Karnataka are likely to be affected during this period. The maintenance-related outages come against the backdrop of the wider power shortage and could contribute to increased pressure on the State’s electricity supply system.

Consumers have been advised to plan essential activities accordingly, particularly during the morning and evening periods when demand is expected to be high.

Consumers can contact 1912

Residents facing electricity-related problems can contact the official electricity helpline 1912 for further information.

The helpline can be used to seek information about power supply issues and outages. Consumers have also been urged to cooperate with the authorities during the period of constrained power availability.

For households and businesses, planning power-dependent activities outside the expected peak load-shedding periods could help minimise disruption.

Power cuts amid major illumination programme

The expected load shedding has also drawn attention because Karnataka is simultaneously preparing to illuminate several major tourist and heritage destinations as part of a special programme marking 100 days of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s administration.

The four-day illumination programme began on September 10 and includes prominent landmarks such as Mysore Palace and Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam. Other locations include Vidhana Soudha, Tungabhadra Dam, Alamatti Dam, Bengaluru’s Town Hall, K.R. Puram Hanging Bridge and the Virupaksheshwara Temple Complex at Hampi.

The landmarks are being illuminated with LED displays in the colours of the Kannada flag — yellow and red. The programme will also feature sound-and-light shows and 3D mapping projections highlighting government initiatives and the Five Guarantees.

Palace and KRS illumination not dependent on grid

Officials told Star of Mysore that the illumination at Mysore Palace will be powered using heavy-duty diesel generators and will not draw electricity from the power grid.

At KRS, the illumination will use electricity generated at the dam itself rather than relying on the external electricity grid. This means the special lighting arrangements at these two major landmarks are not expected to directly depend on the already strained grid supply.

The clarification comes as the State prepares for power restrictions in several areas and consumers remain concerned about the impact of outages on daily life.

Drought situation adds to concerns

The power shortage and illumination programme are also taking place against the backdrop of Karnataka’s wider drought situation.

According to the report, 111 taluks have officially been declared drought-hit, while survey work is underway to identify additional areas affected by drought.

The combination of electricity shortages, maintenance outages and drought conditions has raised questions about resource management and the timing of large-scale illumination programmes.

For now, consumers across Karnataka are being asked to cooperate as authorities manage electricity availability and maintenance requirements. With outages expected particularly during peak hours, households and businesses may need to plan ahead until the supply situation improves.