Crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah not sighted in Bhatkal, Eid ul Adha on June 29
Bhatkal: The Qazis of the Bhatkal moon sighting committee announced on Sunday that the crescent moon for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah was not sighted in Bhatkal and the surrounding areas. As a result, June 19 will be considered the 30th day of Dhul Qadah.
The official announcement confirmed that Eid-ul-Adha, will be celebrated on June 29. This important religious festival commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Muslims around the world gather for communal prayers, partake in festive meals, and engage in acts of charity and generosity during this auspicious occasion.
Furthermore, the day of Arafah or the Day of Hajj will be observed on June 28. This day holds immense significance for Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj, as they gather at the plain of Arafat to seek forgiveness, offer prayers, and engage in intense spiritual reflection. It is a time of profound devotion and supplication for believers embarking on this sacred pilgrimage.
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No unannounced load shedding in Kerala, outages due to overload, says Minister
Palakkad (PTI): Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty on Saturday said there was no unannounced load shedding in the state, attributing recent power interruptions to temporary overload caused by high consumption.
Clarifying concerns raised from various parts of the state, the minister said the disruptions are not deliberate but occur when demand peaks, particularly between 10 pm and 11 pm.
"It is not being done intentionally. Power consumption has risen sharply, and when there is excessive and indiscriminate usage, the system experiences overload, leading to natural supply interruptions," he told reporters here.
His remarks come amid complaints that several areas have been witnessing frequent power cuts, often lasting around 15 minutes and occurring multiple times during the night.
Krishnankutty said the state's power demand has crossed 6,195 MW, putting pressure on the supply system. He added that around 70 per cent of Kerala's electricity is procured from outside, and existing power banking arrangements have been exhausted.
"We have approached the Regulatory Commission seeking permission to purchase more power. However, this will come at a higher cost," he said.
The minister said the government is trying to avoid increasing electricity tariffs and urged consumers to exercise restraint in usage to help manage the situation.
Responding to opposition criticism over the ruling LDF's earlier claims of a decade without power cuts, he said the current situation is not unique to Kerala.
A power crisis is emerging across the country, he said, and sarcastically asked the Opposition to take note of the role of natural factors in this.
Krishnankutty expressed confidence that the situation would improve within two days, while cautioning that long-term energy security would depend on enhancing in-state power generation.
He also warned that future generations could face serious challenges if adequate electricity production capacity is not developed within Kerala.
