Millions of Bangladeshis are facing widespread power outages, as soaring temperatures have been driving up demand for electricity nationwide.
Being a Muslim-majority country, people in Bangladesh fast during the month of Ramadan. During this holy time period, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking water during daylight hours. For most people, that means about 15 hours with no source of hydration — a factor that has particularly affected manual labourers and street vendors, who work outside under the boiling hot sun.
The early heatwave worsened the situation, as the mercury hovered around 40 degrees Celsius at the beginning of summer, resulting in power cuts for up to 15 hours daily.
According to the country's Power Development Board statistics, since last week, daily demand has reached around 16,000 MW. However, the authorities are able to supply only 15,600 MW.
Meanwhile, year-on-year demand has reportedly surged by 2,000 MW.
Several areas in Bangladesh, including eastern Dhaka, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Vatara, Matuail, and Jurain, are also up against a scarcity of water.
Bangladesh State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid hopes the situation will let up with the onset of the Eid holiday and that the temperature will drop.
Power Secretary Habibur Rahman, in a post on social media, wrote, "Demand has surpassed our prediction by far due to the unprecedented heat with the temperature rising to the highest levels in 50 years. As a result, many areas suffer power cuts, causing pain to people, especially children and older people. We express our sincere sympathy and sorrow over the unexpected suffering."