Frequent power outages amid a supply shortfall have made daily life increasingly difficult for residents in Khulna as prolonged load-shedding continues in the city and surrounding areas.

Amid intense heat, repeated power cuts have left people frustrated, with little relief even during nighttime.

Local people electricity outages often begin just as temperatures remain high, depriving them of sleep for hours.

Children, the elderly and the sick are facing the worst of the situation, they said.

Many residents alleged that sudden, unannounced power cuts are disrupting their daily activities, while also affecting businesses.

Quoting the central control room of the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL), Chief Executive Engineer Rokon Uzzaman said power demand in Khulna stood at 653 megawatts at 10am on April 16, against a supply of 550 megawatts, resulting in a shortfall of 103 megawatts.

Earlier, on April 15 at 1pm, demand was 750 megawatts while supply was 572 megawatts, leading to load-shedding of 178 megawatts.

The same day at 9pm, demand was recorded at 686 megawatts against a supply of 542 megawatts, causing a deficit of 144 megawatts.

Md Solaiman, a resident of Sheikhpara, said, “Load-shedding is continuing round the clock. Electricity goes off every hour. Children are suffering badly in this heat.”

Residents urged the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure stable power supply and reduce load-shedding during the intense heat.