Shortage of rain can mean shortage of power in a state that depends largely on hydroelectricity. While power shortage in Karnataka leaves thousands of homes without power supply for many hours in a day, the problems faced by shop-keepers and businessmen are no less.

In the days of unscheduled power cuts, it's gen-sets galore on Bangalore's high street.

The Brigade Road is loved by those who have lots of shopping to do, and also by those who have nothing to do. But there is a time of the day when the city's brightest tourist spot goes dark and power-less.‬ And loadshedding during peak hours means unhappy shoppers.

"Three power cuts in the span of 30 minutes. You don't want to walk around in the dark and all these fumes from diesel generators - it kind of puts you off," said Rishikesh, an aeronautical engineer.
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"Brigade Road does approximately business of about 10 crores in a day. Eighty per cent business is down (due to power cuts). All the shops here do billing of products here. And there is a huge loss to the government by way of taxes," said Sohail Shariff, member of the Brigade Road Shop-Owners Association.

Power shutdowns all across the State are a direct fallout of the water crisis. At least 40 per cent of Karnataka's power comes from hydel power plants.

"Power dams are depleting day by day. Today, the met dept has given us hope that good rains are ensured next week," said Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka Water Resources Minister.

And this is a hope echoed around the country.