Coal India asks units to ramp up supplies as heatwave fuels record power demand

India hit a record peak power demand (270.8 GW) as an El Niño-driven heatwave triggered night-time outages in several regions.
State-run Coal India has ordered subsidiaries to ramp up coal deliveries — including direct rail from mines — and urged plants to rebuild stocks.
Coal still provides over 70% of India’s power; 21 plants have under a week’s coal left, though national stocks cover roughly 19 days.