Restore power supply in Banshkhali

Cyclone Hamoon has wreaked havoc in South Chattogram's Banshkhali. Its strong winds uprooted many utility poles and snapped the power supply lines across a wide area in this upazila. The residents of the area have been facing a complete blackout for around two days, with no power, mobile phone network, internet, or telephone connections. The entire upazila remained enveloped in darkness throughout the night. According to the district administration control room, Banshkhali bore the brunt of the cyclone, with a large number of houses suffering damage and uprooting of trees. Vehicular movement remained suspended while electricity connection was severed. Meanwhile, Palli Bidyut authorities in the upazila feared that at least 10 more days would pass to normalise the power supply in Banshkhali. If there is no electricity for this long period, people of this vast area will go through untold sufferings. Currently, due to a lack of electricity, a severe drinking water crisis is now going on in almost all the unions of the upazila. Also, mobile phone networks are often down due to the power outage.

The power distribution system which has been snapped in Banshkhali due to cyclone Hamoon is expected to be restored within 10 days. That is quite a long time. Such an apprehension by the Palli Bidyut authorities is unfortunate and sad. We urge the relevant authorities to look into it seriously and take every action to restore power supply in this upazila as early as possible. If the infrastructure is so fragile, at least an alternative system should be put in place to alleviate affected people's sufferings. Otherwise, the sufferings of the victims of Banshkhali will only increase.

SM Rahman Jiku,

Student of Chattogram College,

Chawkbazar, Chattogram,

mizanrahmanbns@gmail.com