Eskom on Thursday announced that power cuts will take effect in different areas across the country from the morning until most likely 10pm.

The power parastatal earlier today declared a power emergency, and urged consumers, especially key industrial consumers, to reduce electricity usage.

The utility will use its published load shedding schedules, which are available on the Eskom website (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/).

Eskom customers can also contact the customer call centre on 0860 037 566.

The company said the past week of heavy rain had left coal stocks wet.