Severe load -shedding cripples daily life in Meherpur
Md. Abu Layes Lablu, Meherpur
Frequent and prolonged load shedding combined with scorching heat has disrupted daily life across rural Meherpur, leaving farmers, students, and local businesses in distress. While city areas receive a relatively stable supply, rural villages face power outages lasting 5 to 6 hours daily.
According to the Meherpur Palli Bidyut Samity, the district's peak demand reaches 72 MW, but the available supply averages only 40 to 41 MW, leaving a severe deficit of 30 to 34%.
The power crisis has severely impacted local agriculture. With little to no rain during the monsoon, farmers preparing land for Aman paddy planting are struggling to irrigate their fields, driving up costs and threatening crop yields. Meanwhile, students preparing for exams report difficulties studying during the night, small industrial and welding businesses face financial losses due to idle labor, and healthcare facilities suffer without dedicated backup generators.
Meherpur Palli Bidyut Samity DGM Swadesh Kumar Ghosh said, a letter was sent to the Deputy Commissioner in June regarding the shortage, attributing the issue to low national allocation.
Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Rani assured that electricity is currently being managed in phases and supply will normalize once issues on the national grid are resolved.
