11.   Rationing was imposed to avert blackouts, after an exceptionally long dry spell that left reservoirs at hydroelectric plants nearly dry.

12.   That, in turn, affects their ability to borrow money to buy power to avert blackouts.

13.   That, in turn, affects their ability to borrow money to buy power and avert blackouts.

14.   The state has been frantically scrounging power for days to avert rolling blackouts, buying megawatts on the expensive spot market from as far away as Canada.

15.   The state has been scrounging electricity for days to avert rolling blackouts, buying megawatts on the expensive spot market from as far away as Canada.

16.   While blackouts have been averted, the lack of maintenance on decades-old plants could come home to roost this summer, Sousa added.

17.   Sri Lanka called for bids from foreign firms to urgently provide barge-mounted electricity generators in a desperate bid to avert a blackout, officials said Tuesday.