Cyclone Bulbul wreaked havoc on the electricity poles of Palli Bidyut Samity(Power department), leaving as many as 10,000 families without electricity, causing untold suffering in different areas of Gopalganj.
Around 161 electric poles collapsed, 324 poles tilted, electric wires got tangled with fallen trees, cutting off power to 25000 families. This, the day after the devastating cyclone lashed a number of upazilas including Kashiani and Maksudpur of the district about 10 days ago, according to Gopalganj Palli Bidyut Samity.
However, electricity supply was restored to 15000 families and the remaining 10,000 or so families will have their electricity connection restored within a few days, the authority added.
Due to the interruption of electricity supply, locals cannot charge their mobile phones which are an essential medium of daily communication for many, including businesses. A large number of battery run auto rickshaws remain inoperable without a charge, inflicting economic loss on the drivers. Students have been bearing the brunt of the power outage. They cannot study properly without lighting and electricity, with final exams round the corner in a few days.
For a firsthand appreciation of the suffering locals have been going through due to the power outage, our correspondent visited various upazilas in the district and talked to people.
In Chandra Dighalia village of Gopalganj Sadar, he found at least 20 electricity poles uprooted by the roadside, leaving at least 50 families there in complete darkness.
Seventh grader Afsana Mini of the village said many electricity poles collapsed near her house, leaving them without power for 10 days. In a few days she will sit for her final exams , but the lack of power has been hampering her studies. Studying by candlelight and kerosene lamps are giving her severe headaches and eye problems.
Housewife Helena Begum said food stored in the refrigerator is rotting and mobile phones remain off, making daily life difficult.
Easy-bike driver Imrul Molla from Nijamkandi village of Kashiani upazila said he could not charge his vehicle because of the power loss caused by Cyclone Bulbul, adding: ''It's affecting our daily income and my family.”
Md Saiful Islam, General Manger (GM) of Gopalganj Palli Bidyut Samity said: ''Employees of Palli Bidyut Samity restored electricity supply to most clients in the district the day after Cyclone Bulbul hit. We have already supplied power by alternative means to areas where electricity poles were uprooted or tilted, adding: ''Power supply will be normal within two or three days in the whole district.''
