Even as residents in urban and rural areas across Punjab reeled under power cuts ranging from six to 18 hours over the last week, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday said he had "no more power to supply".

"The gap between demand and supply is too big and non-availability of electricity is not helping matters. Our government is trying its best and purchasing power worth Rs.100 million every day. We have spent close to Rs.4.5 billion in the last couple of months," Singh said.

The chief minister blamed the lack of rain for the precarious power situation.

"The monsoon is nowhere on the horizon and if forecasts are to be believed, things could get bad," he warned.

He said power officials had been told to impose minimum cuts of four hours in industrial areas and three hours in main cities. In rural areas, the cuts were six-eight hours daily.

The chief minister said the electricity demand had risen from 5,774 MW last year to 5,888 MW this year.

"If the situation worsens, we are committed to impose austerity measures and use of air-conditioners in government offices would be prohibited. I will ensure that the ban gets imposed from the top - the chief minister's office," he added.

People across Punjab continued to spend sleepless nights and sweltering days with temperatures ranging between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius.

Their problems were compounded by unscheduled power cuts and meagre water supply.