Over 45 lakh people go without power

Staff Reporter :
In order to reduce the damage caused by Cyclone Sitrang, over 45 lakh people have been kept without electricity in several vulnerable areas including the coastal areas of the southern region.
West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDCL) and Rural Electrification Board (REB) disconnected the power on Monday in the wake of cyclonic storm Sitrang.
“Distribution lines are being damaged in various places due to the storm. The power supply has been cut off in five of the vulnerable districts. There are about 1.25 lakh customers in these areas,” Md Azharul Islam, managing director of WZPDCL told the media. REB Director (Technical) Md Rafiqul Islam told the media that till Monday evening 44,01,500 customers of 23 REB societies have been cut off from electricity.
“Most of the coastal areas are experiencing rain with gusty winds. Therefore, electricity supply has been stopped in the areas under risk,” he said.
According to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) sources, the demand for electricity was very low Monday due to the shutdown of supply in several areas. As a result there was no shortfall in production and supply.
On Monday, the maximum demand was 8500 MW. The previous day’s electricity demand was 13500 MW.
Meanwhile, the power transmission and distribution bodies under the power division have opened control rooms in their respective offices to deal with issued centering cyclone Sitrang.
People have been asked to call the numbers of the control rooms for any emergency need.
The phone numbers of the control rooms are:
1. Rural Electrification Board (REB): 017-926-23467, 8900575
2. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB): Central complaint centre – 01708149502-3, control room – 01819228616, 02-223354646
3. Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO): 02-8900501, 01713090586, 01324435981.
4. Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC): 02223364800; 02223363000, 01321137195
5. Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO): Rajshahi zone – +8801755582300, Rangpur zone- +8801715041240
6. West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited: Central control room – 02477724472, 01755568781; call centre – 16117