BHUBANESWAR: With Dussehra over, Gridco, the bulk supplier of power, and the Orissa Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), are reportedly putting pressure on the Government to go for power regulation from October onwards in view of the poor hydro situation in major reservoirs. Faced with shortage of power, the two public sector understandings have been reminding the Government time and again about the precarious power position and the necessity for power rationing to save water in the reservoirs for the coming summer. Gridco has reportedly cautioned the Government that further delay in power rationing will have an impact on the already depleted water reservoirs. The people of the State may then have to face a gruelling summer, without power for more than 12 hours a day. At least three hours of loadshedding a day starting from October will save enough water in the reservoirs to provide cushion in the summer months, when demand for power will significantly increase, mandarins of the two utilities have reportedly told the Government. Senior officers of the Energy department, Gridco and OPTCL had apprised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of the critical power situation in the State and sought his permission for power regulation. Understandably, the Chief Minister had given his assent for power rationing, but after Durga puja festival. With an evening peak demand of over 3,100 mega watt, the State is facing an average power shortfall of about 350 MW due to low generation from hydro power stations. On an average, the State is getting 700 MW to 800 MW from hydro power stations as against 1,500 MW. Water level in all the major reservoirs of the State is much below the level during the corresponding period last year. Water level in Indravati and Rengali reservoirs is more than three metres below the level recorded last year. The situation in other reservoirs is no better.