Electricity shortfall has increased to 4390 MW, prompting increase in load shedding. According to Media Reports, mercury has also regained its rising trend, but even pestering is the unannounced, prolonged load shedding in the rural and urban areas alike. PEPCO sources said that power production is 12889 MW against a demand of 17279 MW. The load shedding duration has increased to more than 8 hours in urban and over 12 hours in rural areas. It has been told the shortfall is partly due to reduction in hydel power production.