Impact of Cyclone Bulbul: No electricity yet
Around 475 electric poles were uprooted during the devastating storm
There has been no electricity in many areas of Pirojpur since Cyclone Bulbul hit the district on Saturday night, causing immense sufferings to people.
Around 475 electric poles were uprooted during the devastating cyclone, leaving the areas without electricity, said Fazrul Anwar, assistant general manager (AGM) of Pirojpur Palli Bidyut Samity.
As power supply is yet to be restored, mobile network in many areas has been seriously disrupted.
Fazrul, however, said electricity was supplied to some power substations like Mathbaria upazila headquarters.
On the other hand, many people are charging their cellphones using generators at different villages.
Aminul Islam of Durgapur village in Sadar upazila said there was no electricity in their village following the cyclone.
But it is still uncertain when the supply of electricity will resume in the area, he added.
Another villager Hafizur Rahman said they have to pay Tk 20 to charge a cellphone using a generator.
“We have hired a generator to charge cellphones,” said Shipon Akan of Chalisa Bazar in Sadar upazila, adding that they can charge 200 cellphones every day.
Sohel Hawlader, another generator operator of the bazar, said it takes around two and a half hours to charge a cellphone.
But the battery charge finished very quickly as the power does not last long, said Sohel.
AGM Fazrul Anwar said they have engaged additional staffers from other districts to repair the power lines.
He hopes that the power supply will resume in the areas within next two or three days.
Around 40% power lines have already been repaired, said the AGM.
At least 26 people were killed in nine southern districts as Cyclone Bulbul hit the areas.