15m people without power in coastal areas

The rural power authority has cut off electricity to 15 million people in coastal areas to minimise the damage from severe Cyclone Remal.

The power outages have lasted over 12 hours in some areas, but power workers are preparing to restore the connections once the storm subsides.

Biswanath Sikder, chief engineer (planning and operation) of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, told bdnews24.com that the storm was still ongoing as of 9:45am in the coastal areas.

The power authorities still do not have a clear idea of the damage due to the ongoing storm, he said, but crews are ready to restore power connections as soon as the storm subsides.

Due to the continuous rain and wind, it is not possible to go out at the moment, he added.

The power has been turned off for most customers in the Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, and Barishal districts who receive their power through the Rural Electrification Board, he said. The power is also partially disconnected in some other districts.

He estimates that a total of about 15 million people in these areas are without power.

The coastal Upazilas in some districts are flooded, he said.

“If the power connections are turned on under these circumstances, it could damage vehicles and property. If any power substations are waterlogged, it could cause long-term damage that would take seven days or more to repair. Taking these aspects into consideration, the power was turned off.”