India is grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), particularly affecting Banda in Uttar Pradesh, which recorded a staggering 46.2 degrees Celsius (115°F). The heat is pushing electricity demand to unprecedented levels, resulting in blackouts as the power grid struggles to keep up. The country is facing an energy crisis, worsened by geopolitical tensions that have limited access to crude oil and liquefied natural gas. As of this week, almost 21 gigawatts of coal and nuclear power capacity is offline due to maintenance shutdowns, compounding the issue. Reports indicate that night-time power shortages have reached as high as 5.4 gigawatts, affecting approximately 2.7 million rural homes. Complaints are rising among residents, leading to protests in Punjab, where the opposition party has mobilized against the scheduled blackouts. Experts urge consumers and distribution companies to take proactive measures to mitigate the crisis.