Cyclone Roanu hits power distribution hard

The power distribution system was seriously disrupted today, in the cyclone-hit areas of Chittagong, Comilla and other coastal districts.

According to official sources, the power supply was suspended immediately after the cyclonic Roanu hit the Barisal-Chittagong coast near Chittagong at noon.

It took 4-5 hours to cross the coast, leaving at least 11 people dead in different districts.

"Many of our feeder lines connected with power the distribution system went off with the storm making landfall in the areas, and we had to shut down some of them as part of our pre-cautionary measures to avoid major disaster," PDB director Saiful Hasan told UNB.

He said the PDB and other power entities were instructed to take precautionary measures before Roanu made the landfall. "Despite this, we're getting reports that power distribution suffered a major setback."

Hasan said the full effects of the storm on the power system can fully be analyzed when the cyclone completely crosses the area.

He said the power distribution entities are ready to begin the repair and restore work in the affected power transmission and distribution systems.