Frequent load shedding has caused extreme suffering to the public during the ongoing heat wave in Tanor Upazila of Rajshahi. The difference in temperature between day and night has almost disappeared, and the intensity of the heat continues till late at night. In the meantime, irregular supply of electricity has made the situation even more miserable.

Local sources say that load shedding has increased in the past few days, especially after midnight. In many areas, power outages are occurring every one to one and a half hours. This is severely disrupting sleep at night. Children and students are struggling to go to school in the morning due to lack of adequate sleep.

There were complaints of power outages in Shibrampur and surrounding areas of Tanor Upazila for nearly three hours on Monday. This is disrupting the daily lives of the common people and severely affecting the studies of students.

Ashiq Rahman, a resident of Shibrampur area, said that the power went out around 12:00 in the morning and did not come back until 2:00 in the afternoon. There is also no power for hours at night. Living in this scorching heat has become absolutely unbearable.

Rashid, a worker from the same area, said, “We are suffering greatly due to frequent load shedding. If there is no electricity in the office, work stops. It is also difficult to survive the heat at home. Even if it rains occasionally, the sweltering heat increases later, and if there is no electricity, the situation becomes unbearable.”

Meanwhile, with the SSC exams coming up, the anxiety of students and parents has increased. The lack of electricity from evening to night is disrupting studies. Many students are forced to continue their studies using candles or alternative lighting, which they said has not been possible for a long time.

Local traders also said that frequent power outages have reduced the number of buyers in the market. In addition, production activities in small and large factories are also being disrupted.

In this regard, Shahadat Hossain, lineman of the Mundumala office of the Rural Electricity Association, said that although the demand for electricity in the area is about 5.8 megawatts, the supply is only 3.3 megawatts. As a result, they are forced to provide load shedding. There was no electricity even at the time of writing this report, which shows the real picture of the current situation.

Locals claim that if power supply is not restored quickly, public suffering will increase and the future of students will be at risk. They have sought the immediate intervention of the concerned authorities.