Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar power will be restored by Thursday afternoon: State Minister Nasrul

The devastating storm Hamoon has knocked off power in the coastal district

Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar are set to get electricity by Thursday afternoon, according to State Minister Nasrul Hamid, after Cyclone Hamoon knocked out power in these coastal districts.

In a statement on Wednesday night, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul said the situation is expected to normalise by 3pm on Thursday.

The Rural Electrification Board has been directed to restore all the lines much ahead of the expected time, he added.

The cyclone hit the coast on Tuesday evening, destroying homes, and uprooting tress and utility poles. At least five people have died in the two districts as trees fell on homes or walls collapsed because of strong wind.

The Power Division said 450,000 customers of the Cox’s Bazar Palli Bidyut Samity and 410,000 of Chattogram-1 Samity were without power because of the storm.

The authorities restored supply to 55,000 customers in Cox’s Bazar and 130,000 in Chattogram by Wednesday afternoon.

The PDB said additional contractors and workers, along with 163 teams of 700 line crew, were sent to the affected areas.