India, June 11 -- Punjab recorded its highest power demand of the season at 16,130 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday afternoon, as soaring temperatures and the ongoing paddy transplantation drive sharply increased electricity consumption across the state.

The demand crossed the 16,000 MW mark for the first time this season, with daytime temperatures rising above 43degC in several districts and touching 46.2degC in Bathinda, intensifying the use of cooling appliances and agricultural pumping systems.

Officials said the spike is primarily driven by the third and final phase of paddy transplantation, which began on June 9 across remaining districts under a phased irrigation schedule designed to manage groundwater usage and stagger power demand....