A Correspondent:
Khulna: Frequent power outages and scorching heat have made public life miserable in Khulna.
Locals said when they get home at night after working all day, they do not find peace as load shedding continues till late night. The residents are having restless nights because of load shedding in the swelter-ing heat.
The high temperature that soars up to 40 Celsius degree over the last few days is aggravating the plight of common people.
According to West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC), the demand for power in 21 districts of the southern region during the peak hours on Saturday was 680 MW while the supply was 615 MW, i.e. load shedding was 65 MW.
At 300 pm on Sunday, the demand for electricity in 21 districts was 669 MW and the supply was 606 MW, i.e. load shedding was 63 MW. Load shedding on Sunday night was higher than on other days.
WZPDC’s information was found to be relevant in social media posts. On Sunday night, there was a cry of despair on Facebook.
Al Amin Talukder Prince wrote, “It’s 3:00 am. You can only hear children screaming around.”
Bashir Hossain, a journalist, posted, “Load shedding five times since the evening. It didn’t even last five minutes after an hour..”
Arman Hossain, a resident of the Sheikhpara area of the city, said he experienced load shedding four times from evening to early morning.
Mostafizur Rahman, chief engineer of WZPDC, said their supply has been reduced from the center that forced them to resort to load shedding.
Meanwhile, Khulna recorded 41.3 degrees Celsius temperature on Sunday, the highest temperature in 23 years.
According to Khulna Meteorological Office , a severe heat wave is sweeping the Khulna division. Chuadanga and Jashore districts recorded the highest temperatures in the country on Sunday.
The maximum temperature was 41.8 degrees Celsius in Jashore and 41.3 degrees Celsius in Khulna on Sunday. Besides, Mongla in Bagerhat recorded 41.4 degrees Celsius, and Satkhira and Kumarkhali in Kushtia recorded 40.4 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologist Amirul Azad, in-charge of Khulna Meteorological Office, said, “The heat wave condition is likely to continue for another two-three days. After that, there is a possibility of rain in Khulna.”
Rickshaw puller Siddique Mollah, a resident of Bagmara area of the city, said, “It seems that the skin is burning in the sun. earable hot. Eid is just a few days away, so we have no option. However, due to the heat, there are fewer passengers on the roads.”
Muslima Begum, a shopkeeper at the city’s housing market, said the sale of hand fans has increased due to the sweltering heat in the last few days. “I am selling my hand fan for Tk 30 per piece.”
