Khulna faces crippling power outages, disrupting studies, shrimp farms, and factories

Khulna, Bangladesh – Persistent load-shedding is disrupting life across the Khulna region, with power outages lasting up to 10 hours daily, particularly affecting rural areas. Residents are struggling with the prolonged blackouts amid rising temperatures.

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Since last week, power has been going out every two to three hours throughout the day and night. It is seriously hampering my studies.

Students like Meghla Mollick, an HSC candidate, report that power cuts every two to three hours are seriously hampering their studies. Her mother, Pritilata Mollick, expressed frustration over the inability to cope with hours without electricity, lacking essential backup power.

For Ananda Biswas, a resident of Khalashi Bunia village, the erratic electricity supply, especially after sunset, makes even simple activities like watching the World Cup impossible. The situation is dire for Krishna Biswas, a shrimp farmer, who relies on uninterrupted electricity for aeration machines. Prolonged outages in the intense heat could lead to the loss of entire shrimp stocks.

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How will you endure the hours without electricity? We don't have IPS or anything like that.

The crisis extends to the shrimp processing industry. According to the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, only a fraction of registered factories are operational due to electricity shortages. Shyamal Das, a director of the association, stated that declining production and factory closures threaten the livelihoods of nearly six million people dependent on the shrimp industry.

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There is hardly any electricity in the evening. During the day, power goes out five to six times, and each outage lasts two to three hours.

Officials from West Zone Power Distribution Company confirmed a significant electricity deficit in the south-western region, with Khulna city and its adjoining district recording the highest shortage. Residents are also reporting spoiled food in refrigerators and difficulties charging essential devices like IPS units and fans.

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If the aerators stop because of load-shedding, the shrimp will suffer. In this intense heat, prolonged outages could wipe out the entire stock.