Sylhet, Aug 30 (V7N) — Severe and frequent load-shedding disrupted normal life across Sylhet division on Saturday, with residents in Sylhet city and different upazilas facing repeated power cuts amid hot and humid weather.

Electricity was unavailable at intervals from the morning, causing considerable hardship for residents. The prolonged outages also affected businesses and commercial activities across the region.

The power crisis comes as Bangladesh continues to face a significant shortfall in electricity supply. According to data from Power Grid Bangladesh PLC (PGCB), the country's electricity demand and supply gap remained substantial on Saturday.

PGCB data showed that load-shedding was forecast to reach as high as 2,894 megawatts at 5pm on Saturday. The forecast indicated 1,003MW of load-shedding at 10am and 1,203MW at noon. The projected shortfall was expected to rise to 1,471MW at 2pm, 2,483MW at 3pm and 2,593MW at 4pm before reaching the forecast peak of 2,894MW at 5pm.

The forecast suggested that load-shedding would ease somewhat in the evening, falling to 2,216MW at 6pm and 1,528MW at 6:30pm, before rising again to 2,770MW at 7pm. It was projected at 2,550MW at 8pm and 2,703MW at 9pm.

However, PGCB's subsequently published system data showed that the actual power shortfall was even higher at several points during the day. Load-shedding reached 3,612MW at 3pm, the highest recorded level in the available data for August 29. It stood at 3,407MW at 4pm and 3,517MW at 5pm.

At 9pm, the country's electricity demand stood at 17,542MW against a supply of 14,974MW, leaving a shortfall of 2,568MW, according to PGCB data. At 8pm, demand was 17,742MW while supply was 14,800MW, resulting in 2,942MW of load-shedding.

PGCB's regional forecast for the evening peak indicated that Dhaka could face 698MW of load-shedding, followed by Mymensingh and Khulna with 350MW each. Cumilla was forecast to experience 315MW, Rajshahi 300MW, Rangpur 250MW, Chattogram 190MW, Sylhet 150MW and Barishal 100MW of load-shedding.

The continued power shortage has added to the difficulties faced by residents across Sylhet, particularly amid high temperatures. Frequent interruptions have disrupted household activities as well as shops, businesses and other commercial establishments.

The situation also highlights the continuing gap between electricity demand and available generation across the country. PGCB's data showed that at 9pm on August 29, demand was 17,542MW against a supply of 14,974MW, leaving a 2,568MW shortfall.

Residents in Sylhet have expressed frustration over the frequent power cuts and the resulting disruption to their daily activities. Businesses have also been affected as repeated outages interfere with normal operations.

The ongoing power shortage is expected to remain a concern unless electricity generation and supply are brought into closer balance with demand.

END/AKR/SMA/