14 Rajshahi substations seek extra security as load-shedding worsens

Residents of Rajshahi have been enduring prolonged load-shedding, with the situation particularly severe in rural areas. Amid growing public frustration, the Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity today (12 August) sought additional security at 14 power substations acss the district to prevent any untoward incidents.

The power crisis has left urban residents without electricity for two to four hours a day, while rural customers are reportedly experiencing outages lasting six to eight hours.

The prolonged outages have intensified suffering amid the ongoing summer, with children and elderly people facing the greatest hardship.

Farmers, small business owners, and workers and owners of industrial establishments are also struggling due to the disruptions.

People in rural areas said their suffering is significantly worse than that of people in the urban areas. They said electricity remains unavailable for hours even at night, leaving them without relief from the heat. They have to spend between two and eight hours a day without electricity.

According to the electricity distributor Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco), power demand was 139 megawatts (MW) last night (11 August), against a supply of 113MW, leaving a 26MW shortfall.

In Rajshahi city, average demand during the day and night is around 135MW, while supply stands at 111MW, resulting in an average deficit of 24MW.

Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity Senior General Manager Ramendra Chandra Roy said demand across five upazilas of the district ranges between 110MW and 115MW a day, while supply is between 80MW and 85MW.

"About 25% load-shedding is taking place compared to demand," he said.

Ramendra said they have sought increased monitoring and security at the substations as the prolonged power crisis could lead to unwanted incidents stemming from public frustration.