Cyclone leaves 2.66 crore without power

In an effort to prevent extensive damage during Cyclone Remal, electricity supply in several coastal areas of the country was suspended by the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB).

Board sources said the electricity supply to 2.66 crore customers in different regions of Bangladesh's coastal belt remained halted since Sunday.

The decision was made to prevent further damage to life and property during the natural calamity, they said. 

Palli Bidyut Samity officials report that coastal upazilas in several districts have been inundated by higher-than-normal tides.

Besides, continuing power supply when substations are submerged during flooding could result in repair works taking at least seven days. 

REB Director (Technical) Md Rafiqul Islam said, "As of 12pm Monday, power supply to customers of Palli Bidyut Samity has been stopped to ensure safety during Cyclone Remal and its aftermath. Nevertheless, our officials are ready to restore power as soon as the storm subsides."

Till the filing of this report around 7:30pm Monday (27 May), rain and storms triggered by Cyclone Remal were reported in around 80 geographical areas of Palli Bidyut Samity. Of these, 65 areas experienced power supply disruption.

Loss of power equipment estimated at Tk91.02cr initially

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources estimated the initial loss of power equipment at Tk91.20 crore during the clone.

As per a notification issued by the ministry on Monday, due to the Cyclone Remal, 2,392 electricity poles, 1,982 transformers, 21,848 insulators and 46,318 meters were damaged in 30 areas of Palli Bidyut Samity.

In addition, 6,2454 spans were reported with snapped wires. 

Besides, the supply of regasified liquified natural gas (RLNG), which was slowed down before, has gradually increased on Monday. At noon, the supply was measured at 1,000 mmcfd.  

The ministry prepared the report after gathering data from field-level level officials through telephonic conversation.

All-out measures for maintenance work, restoration

The ministry said the power situation was being closely monitored through a 24-hour control room. In addition, control rooms were opened at district level and at Palli Bidyut areas, and transport contractors were kept standby. 

It also said the power connection in the affected regions will be normalised as soon as the storm or wind subsides. 

Data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh showed around 3pm Monday, power demand was 4,506MW, and generation was 4,506MW. Demand for electricity was decreased due to rain.

9 lakh without power in Satkhira, Feni

As Cyclone Rimal battered the Satkhira coast, power lines were snapped and trees fell on transmission lines in many areas, disrupting electricity for more than 6 lakh people in the district.

Due to the power outage, mobile networks in some areas were also disrupted. 

Additionally, due to the impact of the cyclone, most areas of Shyamnagar, Kaliganj and Asashuni upazilas witnessed the outage since Sunday morning.

Ziaur Rahman, general manager of Satkhira Palli Bidyut Samity, said, "In the district, 6.25 lakh customers remained without power during Cyclone Remal. Trees fell on the main transmission lines at various places during the storm, causing outages. Also, power lines were snapped at various places."

"We have already started restoration works," he added.

In Feni, Cyclone Remal brought storm and rain, halting power supply for around 3 lakh customers of Palli Bidyut Samity in many parts of the district.

REB officials told The Business Standard that the power situation will improve gradually as they will start working on the affected lines after 12am.