A severe and prolonged disruption in electricity supply has brought daily life to a standstill in Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram district, Bangladesh, with residents enduring nearly three consecutive days without stable power. The outage, which began on Saturday (25 April) and continued through to Monday (27 April) afternoon, has also severely affected mobile phone networks and internet connectivity, effectively isolating the local population from external communication.
Although electricity briefly returned for around 45 minutes on Sunday night, the relief was short-lived as the grid collapsed again soon afterwards. Since then, most of the area has remained in darkness, with only sporadic and unreliable flashes of power reported. Telecommunications infrastructure has also been heavily disrupted, with multiple mobile operators experiencing widespread network failure.
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Daily life brought to a halt
Residents describe an increasingly difficult situation, with normal life almost completely disrupted. Households are struggling to perform basic tasks such as cooking, lighting, and refrigeration. Small businesses and retail shops have been forced to close or operate at minimal capacity, while educational activities have also suffered significantly.
According to local accounts, even when electricity is briefly available, it rarely lasts more than an hour across the entire day and night. This instability has made it impossible for residents to plan or resume normal routines.
One resident, Abu Hanif, explained that prolonged power cuts have left everyday life in disarray, making even routine activities difficult. Another resident, Arif Hasan, noted that the absence of electricity has also rendered mobile networks non-functional, cutting off access to online work and communication. He further added that transport services have been severely affected due to fuel and operational constraints.
Battery-powered auto-rickshaw driver Rabiul Islam expressed deep concern over his livelihood, stating that he has been unable to charge his vehicle for days, resulting in a complete halt to his income. He warned that sustaining his family under such conditions has become increasingly difficult.
Impact on education and financial services
The crisis has also placed SSC examination candidates under significant pressure. Many students are forced to study by candlelight, while others are walking long distances to reach examination centres due to transport shortages. Parents have expressed concern over the long-term impact on students’ preparation and performance.
Financial services have also come to a halt. An agent operating a Dutch-Bangla Bank outlet in Char Shaulmari Bazaar, Roumari, confirmed that internet connectivity failure due to the power outage has suspended all banking transactions, leaving residents unable to access basic financial services.
Situation overview
| Sector | Current Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity supply | Disrupted for ~72 hours | Normal life paralysed |
| Mobile networks | Mostly down | Communication breakdown |
| Internet services | Virtually non-functional | Online work suspended |
| Transport | Severely limited | Mobility constraints, higher fares |
| Banking services | Suspended | Financial transactions halted |
Administrative response
The acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Roumari stated that the matter has been communicated to higher authorities, and efforts are underway to address the electricity crisis. Similarly, the Rajibpur Upazila administration confirmed ongoing coordination with relevant departments, expressing hope that the situation will be resolved soon.
Growing public concern
Local residents fear that if the crisis persists, it could further destabilise education, commerce, and essential services across both upazilas. With communication networks down and electricity supply uncertain, the region remains under significant strain, awaiting urgent restoration of essential infrastructure services.