Bangladesh: Power crisis ongoing nationwide amid a supply shortage and severe heat as of July 26

Event

Power supply shortages are occurring nationwide in Bangladesh as of July 26 due to an ongoing energy crisis and severe heat. The central government has enacted austerity measures, including a reduction of daily energy production and an extension of load shedding periods. Authorities are also reportedly requiring that shopping malls and roadside markets shut down after 20:00 nightly. In Sylhet, the Power Development Board has extended load shedding schedules, affecting some parts of the city for up to 13 hours a day since July 24. In Dhaka, load shedding is occurring several times a day, while officials are cutting the power supply for up to five to six hours a day in rural areas.

Residents, opposition parties, and civil society groups could resort to staging street demonstrations to protest the situation, should the electrical supply shortages become protracted. Such gatherings would be most likely to occur outside electricity provider offices, power stations, government buildings, and at major intersections in greater Dhaka and other major cities. Police will almost certainly deploy to monitor any such gatherings that may materialize; clashes between security personnel and protesters cannot be ruled out. Larger demonstrations may result in localized transport and business disruptions.

Transport disruptions due to malfunctioning traffic signals or electrical rail infrastructure are possible during periods of load shedding. Temporary commercial and communications disruptions, including cellular service disruptions, may also occur during power outages. Government buildings and large businesses that generally rely on private generators are unlikely to be directly affected by outages; however, authorities may force smaller businesses to shut down. Essential services such as ATMs and petrol stations may also temporarily cease to operate during load shedding periods. Disruptions to the potable water supply are likely in areas dependent on electronic water filtration systems.

There is an increased security risk as a result of power outages. Blackouts could adversely affect security protocols, including alarm systems and electronic fences; opportunistic criminal activity could increase during electricity outages.

Advice

Plan accordingly for prolonged commercial disruptions. Conserve gas and electricity. Charge all communication and portable electronic devices when possible. Unplug electronic equipment that is not connected to surge protectors. Exercise caution when driving in areas affected by load shedding. Verify that security systems are working, including after power resumes. Ensure that generators are functional and properly fueled. Avoid protests due to possible violence. If clashes break out, leave the area immediately. Allow additional travel time near gatherings. Follow all instructions from security personnel.