Sarkar Shahadat Hossain. Gaibandha

As the intense heat of the Bengali month of Bhadra continues to make life unbearable, frequent load shedding and severe power disruptions have added to the suffering of residents across all seven upazilas of Gaibandha district.

According to local complaints, many areas are experiencing power outages for an average of 12 to 15 hours within a 24-hour period. With electricity going off and returning 15 to 16 times a day, normal life, businesses, and educational activities have been severely affected.

Residents of Gaibandha Sadar, Sundarganj, Saghata, Gobindaganj, Sadullapur, Palashbari, and Phulchhari reported that electricity is often restored only after 45 minutes to an hour, only to be cut off again shortly afterward. As a result, small industries, photocopying businesses, ironing services, online-based operations, banking activities, hospitals, and government offices are facing serious disruptions.

Mofiz Fakir, a palm fruit vendor at Das Bakery intersection in Gaibandha Sadar, expressed his frustration, saying, “On one hand, we have the scorching heat of the palm-ripening season, and on the other, there is no electricity. People are suffering terribly from the heat. Bhadra is already known for extreme temperatures, and the ongoing load shedding has made life unbearable.”

Locally known as the “Bhadai Month,” Bhadra is traditionally associated with intense heat. Children, elderly people, students, and laborers are among the worst affected. Many residents are unable to sleep at night and are becoming ill due to the excessive heat. Students are struggling to concentrate on their studies, while school and college-going children are facing severe discomfort.

Across markets, ferry terminals, mosques, temples, tea stalls, offices, courts, and other public gathering places throughout the district, one question dominates discussions: “Why has the situation become so bad?” Farmers, workers, business owners, teachers, students, political leaders, and ordinary citizens are all asking the same question.

According to local residents, the power situation is particularly severe in Sundarganj, Saghata, and Gaibandha Sadar. Frequent outages are causing significant financial losses for businesses. Online enterprises and digital services are also being disrupted. In many areas, water pumps remain inoperative due to the lack of electricity, creating difficulties in accessing safe drinking water.

Medical professionals warn that excessive heat combined with the power crisis is increasing the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses. They have advised special caution for children and elderly individuals.

The impact of the intense seasonal heat and prolonged load shedding has cast a shadow of discomfort and hardship over daily life in Gaibandha. Residents are urging the relevant authorities to take immediate action to improve the power situation and ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.