Heatwave, power outage make life miserable in Rajshahi
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The scorching heat coupled with erratic power supply has crippled the life in Rajshahi and its surrounding districts.
Besides, acute water scarcity and mosquito menace have added to the suffering of the common people.
The heatwave has also been hampering the harvest of Irri paddy as farmers as well as labourers are unable to stay in the paddy fields for longer time under the blazing sun.
The farmers are complaining of huge load-shedding against the power authorities' claim for rationing power in urban areas for smooth power supply to irrigation sector.
The northern districts are facing average 300 megawatt (MW) of load shedding against the daily demand for 750 MW now.
PDB officials said with a local generation of around 266 MW, the PDB is to manage the demand with only 466 MW supply in the last few days.
Acute water crisis in many areas compounded sufferings. Out of the demand for 226 lakh gallons of water, Rajshahi City Corporation supplies only 106 lakh gallons which are less than 50 percent demand.
Among 6,500 tube wells in city areas, most of the wells are not functioning as the underground water level went down. Moreover, water pumps are not also working following power cut at regular intervals.
The heat has been so intense that the city roads wore almost a deserted look in the afternoons. It also forced businessmen to keep down their shutters.
However, the adverse weather conditions also worked in favour of a few traders, as there was a brisk business of green coconuts, watermelons and ice creams.
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