Heatwave, power cuts, water crisis cripple life in Ctg

Highlights

• Temperature steady at 35°C; high humidity making feel hotter
• Nine of Chattogram's 28 power generation units shut 
• Load shedding increasing amid a  172MW shortfall
• Wasa's water production drops by 3–4cr litres

Since the start of the Bengali month of Baishakh, an intense heatwave – combined with frequent load shedding and a worsening water crisis – has severely disrupted daily life in Chattogram.

Although the port city's maximum temperature has hovered around 35°C over the past week, high humidity has pushed the perceived temperature far higher, leaving urban life nearly paralysed. 

With little respite indoors or outdoors from the oppressive heat, conditions have become especially unbearable for labourers and pedestrians.

The situation has been compounded by recurring power outages and acute water shortages. Due to electricity supply constraints, Chattogram Wasa's pumps are unable to operate at full capacity, leading to supply disruptions. Even when power returns, water pressure often remains low.

Amid the worsening crisis, mosques across the city on 17 April made loudspeaker announcements urging worshippers to perform ablution at home before coming for Jummah prayers, reflecting the severity of the water shortage.

During visits to areas including Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, CDA Residential Area, Halishahar, Agrabad, and Hamzarbagh are experiencing prolonged outages and water scarcity. In many cases, electricity takes two to three hours to return after a cut, further hampering water supply. Residents have also reported foul-smelling water, raising public health concerns.

"Now, along with frequent power cuts, there is also a water crisis. Sometimes the water has a bad smell, which is creating health risks," said Kamrul Hasan, a resident of Chandgaon Residential Area.

Khadija Akter Mahima, a student from Halishahar, said, "Load shedding has increased in the evening and at night. It is difficult to study without electricity in this heat."

"It has become very difficult to stay indoors with children in this intense heat. Daily life is being disrupted due to the lack of electricity and water," said Kamal Uddin from Muradpur.

According to AccuWeather, Chattogram recorded a high of 35°C on 24 April, while the RealFeel® temperature climbed to around 43°C, making outdoor conditions significantly more oppressive. 

Nine power plants in Ctg shut, 118.40 MW deficit

According to 22 April data, at the 7pm peak hour, electricity demand in Chattogram stood at 1,491.70MW, while supply stood at only 1,319.70MW – leaving a deficit of 172MW that had to be managed through load shedding. Earlier around 11am, the shortfall was about 134.50MW, indicating a sharp rise in demand as temperatures climbed. The crisis extended beyond evening hours, as daytime shortages also intensified. 

The report shows that nine of 28 power generation units in Chattogram region (Chattogram, Cox's Baqzar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari) remained non-operational due to the fuel crisis. Notably, both units of Raozan-1 and Raozan-2 (210MW each) have been shut for an extended period. Their continued closure has significantly strained the supply system. 

Other major facilities – including the 54-megawatt Zodiac plant and the 100-megawatt units of Julda-2 and Julda-3 – also failed to generate any electricity on the day, further widening the supply gap and intensifying load shedding.

At the Kaptai Hydropower Plant, four out of its five units – Units 1, 3, 4, and 5 – remained shut due to low water levels in Kaptai Lake. The water level has dropped to 77.42 feet, well below the 83.80-foot rule curve, preventing generation, leaving only one unit (Unit 2) operational.

Meanwhile, the 20 MW Teknaf solar plant also could not supply power after evening. Currently, a large share of Chattogram's demand is being met by the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, which is supplying 935 megawatts, and the SS Power Plant in Banshkhali, contributing 612 megawatts. However, reduced hydropower output due to falling lake levels continues to strain the grid.

Wasa's water production drops by 3-4cr litres

Water production by Wasa has dropped sharply amid persistent power outages. Although Wasa has a daily production capacity of about 50 crore litres, output has declined significantly due to the ongoing electricity crisis.

Officials say frequent load shedding is reducing production by an average of 3-4 crore litres per day. While generators are used during outages, repeated disruptions and delays in starting backup systems are affecting operations and slowing overall output.

The impact is already evident across the supply network, with repeated complaints of shortages from areas such as Pahartali and Saraipara.

Md Nurul Amin, superintending engineer at Wasa (mod circle), said, "While some treatment plants typically face salinity-related challenges during the summer, no such situation has arisen yet this year. However, power outages have disrupted both water production and supply."