Residents of Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur are facing severe disruptions to daily life due to prolonged power outages amid intense heat. For several weeks, electricity has been unavailable for 16 to 18 hours a day, affecting both urban and rural areas. The shortage has disrupted normal routines, business operations, and students’ studies, with children, the elderly, and the sick suffering the most.

According to the Madarganj zonal office of Palli Bidyut, the upazila’s current electricity demand stands at 18 megawatts, but only 7 megawatts are being supplied—about 39 percent of total demand. The shortfall has forced authorities to impose long hours of load-shedding. Residents report frequent power cuts lasting two to three hours at a time, with electricity returning only briefly before going out again.

Local businesses are incurring financial losses, and students preparing for exams are struggling to study by candlelight. The deputy general manager of the Madarganj zonal office said the situation would improve once power supply from the national grid increases.