*Trigger Warning: Covid-19*
As news reports regarding the non-availability of the oxygen cylinders are pouring in, anxiety grips the people suffering from the widespread virus. It has arisen as a big problem. This has even brought a very terrible sight in our great country.
Sadly, the daily casualties are unstoppable. Human shrieks are continuously reverberating. A hopeless call for medical facilities somewhere weakens the fair chance of saving life in curt circumstances these days.
What will eventually happen if another horrible crisis envelops us? What has supposedly been awaiting us is the coal crisis if we go by the news published in a Hindi news daily. It is being guessed that few power plants might face a shortage of required coal stock for running their coal-based units.
In such an unusual case, suspension of power supply could impact us badly. As the hotter month of May approaches fast, the soaring temperature will normally boost the electricity consumption in the days to come. If the paucity of coal continues, there could be a very unfortunate situation, as is guessed.
According to data, 200 Gigawatts of electricity generated through coal-based plants up to March 31, 2021. Experts point out that coal-based power plants comparatively help in maintaining the hiked summer load. The grid, thus, remains robust in coping with the higher electricity consumption.
How astonishing is it that the first wave of respiratory virus caused havoc with the poor people, but the second wave is hitting richer people hard? It is simply because they could manage to avoid the first outbreak by safeguarding in the confines of their homes.
In the second wave, Mumbai and Delhi are the worst hit by the virus, though Jharkhand is also under its severe spate. In the first wave, a strict lockdown undeniably ravaged poorer communities, but the second wave has hit the ground all over painfully.
Meanwhile, the United States has agreed to deliver raw materials needed to prepare the Covishield vaccine in the country. It will also help deliver therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment for frontline workers. But if the coal shortage deepens, what will happen?
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