Bangladesh power crisis: Prolonged power cuts, early shop closures and a desperate call to India
As part of efforts to deal with the power crisis, Bangladesh has requested India to supply additional diesel.
PTC News Desk: Bangladesh is grappling with severe energy crisis, with parts of country experiencing prolonged power outages. The severity of the situation is such that the government has directed the shopping malls, shops and markets to shut down by 8 pm to conserve electricity.
Several sectors including businesses, farmers and industries have been seriously affected by the worsening power crunch. To mitigate the crisis, Bangladesh has now sought help from India for additional diesel suplies.
Bangladesh is facing a severe power crisis, especially in rural areas outside the capital, Dhaka, where people are reportedly experiencing power cuts lasting 8 to 10 hours a day. The ongoing heatwave has made the situation even more difficult.
While electricity demand has remained around 18,000 MW, power supply has struggled to reach 13,000 MW, leading to widespread load-shedding.
Power Stations Under Attack
The prolonged power cuts have angered residents, with reports of people attacking electricity facilities in some areas. According to local reports, incidents of vandalism and arson have been reported in Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia.
The Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association has now sought police protection for power grids, substations and electricity offices. Electricity cooperatives have also asked local police to increase security and conduct regular night patrols around important power installations.
Businesses and Farmers Hit
The long power cuts have affected farming, restaurants and industrial production. Farmers are being forced to spend more money on diesel generators to keep their operations running.
Shrimp farmers have been among the worst affected, as power cuts stop the aerators that supply oxygen to the water. This can put the shrimp at risk.
Bangladesh's textile and garment industry, which is a major part of the country's economy, has also been badly affected by the electricity shortage.
With no immediate improvement expected, the government has introduced several energy-saving measures. Shopping malls, markets and shops have been ordered to close by 8 pm. Trade fairs and cultural events must also end by 8 pm. Decorative lighting has been banned, while illuminated billboards must be switched off by 7 pm.
Bangladesh Turns to India for Help
As part of efforts to deal with the power crisis, Bangladesh has requested India to supply additional diesel.
The request was reportedly conveyed to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi during his meeting with Bangladesh's Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood last week. India had already supplied more than 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh in March and April during the Middle East crisis.
The request comes at a time when relations between India and Bangladesh remain strained. One major issue has been India providing shelter to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after she fled Dhaka in 2024.
Tensions have increased further after Hasina recently addressed the media in Delhi, marking her first public speech since leaving Bangladesh.