Prolonged load shedding has thrown public life into disarray amidst an intense heatwave in Meherpur.
The situation has taken an extreme turn, particularly in rural areas under the jurisdiction of Palli Bidyut. Entire areas are forced to remain without electricity for seven to eight hours throughout the day and night. Residents of the Gangni and Bamondi regions are facing the most significant hardship.
Locals complained that the irregular power supply has made their daily lives unbearable. It is difficult to work in the scorching heat during the day, and sleeping at night is nearly impossible without electricity. Consequently, the suffering of children, the elderly, and the sick has intensified.
Abdul Malek, a farmer, said, “This is a very important time for us. It is the final period for irrigating the fields. But I cannot run the pump because there is no electricity. If I try to run it with diesel, the costs increase significantly. There is a risk of loss instead of profit.”
It is not just farmers; the load shedding has had a widespread impact on the lives of ordinary people.
Abeda Khatun, a housewife, said, “It is impossible to stay indoors with children in the heat during the day, and the mosquito nuisance increases when there is no electricity at night. Cooking, pumping water – everything has become problematic.”
Locals added that alternative arrangements cannot be made due to the current fuel oil crisis. While generators could previously manage the situation to some extent, that is no longer possible due to the high price and scarcity of diesel.
Meherpur Palli Bidyut General Manager Swadesh Kumar Ghosh said, “The demand for electricity is very high, but we are not receiving supply accordingly. As sufficient electricity is not coming from the national grid, load shedding must be implemented at specific intervals. Once the situation returns to normal, the supply will also be regularised.”
