RAJSHAHI, Apr 24: Severe and prolonged load-shedding across Rajshahi has brought daily life to a standstill, with residents, farmers, small traders and industrial workers bearing the worst impact of the electricity crisis.
Locals said power outages lasting 8-10 hours a day have severely disrupted normal activities, while the situation has become even more difficult for children and the elderly amid intense heat.
Farmers in Paba, Godagari, and Durgapur upazilas report that irrigation activities have been seriously disrupted due to the electricity shortage, putting Boro paddy and other crops at risk during a critical stage of cultivation.
"With power going off most of the day, we cannot run irrigation pumps properly. Even when electricity comes, it lasts only 15-20 minutes," said farmer Sultan Ali of Paba. "Our fields need water urgently. If this continues, crops will be damaged."
In Godagari, farmer Mizanur Rahman said both electricity and diesel shortages have worsened the situation. "We cannot manage irrigation with either electricity or fuel. This is creating serious problems for us."
Another farmer, Saedur Ali from Mohongonj Union in Mohonpur Upazila, said rising temperatures have worsened the crisis. "Our land is cracking due to lack of water. Diesel irrigation is doubling our costs. The government must act quickly," he said.
The impact has also spread to small industries and businesses, where production has slowed or halted. Printing press owner Saiful Islam said frequent outages have made operations unsustainable.
"Generators increase our costs significantly. Profit is no longer possible," he said.
Shopkeeper Rashed Ali from Saheb Bazar said perishable goods are being damaged due to repeated power cuts. "It is extremely difficult to run shops in this heat without electricity," he added.
Bisic industrial area businessman Saheb Ali said production losses are mounting. "Workers are idle due to power cuts. If this continues, sustaining businesses will be very difficult," he said.
Rural residents are facing additional hardship as outages continue both day and night, disrupting sleep and daily routines.
In Durgapur, resident Teymur Islam said power cuts have been ongoing for around 15 days. "We cannot sleep or study properly," he said.
Housewife Jannat Begum from Paba said the situation has become unbearable. "We demand an immediate end to this crisis," she said.
Students are also struggling. "We cannot study properly for exams without electricity," said student Tanvir Hasan.
However, officials of both NESCO Rajshahi and the Rural Electrification Board claimed that load-shedding is minimal.
NESCO Managing Director Moshier Rahman said Rajshahi's demand is around 470 megawatts and supply is largely adequate, with only minor outages.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity Senior General Manager Ramendra Chandra Roy said the situation involves a temporary mismatch between demand and supply, with around 25-30 percent load management ongoing.
