Fire at Moghbazar grid substation disrupts power supply across key Dhaka areas

Power has been restored to most areas, but around 15,000 customers still remain without electricity

A fire at a power substation in Dhaka's Moghbazar has triggered widespread blackouts across several central areas of the capital.

Three units from the Tejgaon Fire Service brought the fire under control shortly after it broke out at the substation on Saturday.

The incident disrupted electricity supply in Karwan Bazar, Tejgaon, Banglamotor, Moghbazar, New Eskaton, Kakrail, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Most affected areas were reconnected through alternative arrangements.

However, by Saturday evening, around 15,000 customers in the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and the Karwan Bazar Commercial Area were still without electricity.

Mohammed Tariqul Hoque, chief engineer of the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), told bdnews24.com that a "flashing" incident at the Moghbazar substation damaged two breakers and several power cables.

He said the disruption initially cut electricity to around 40,000 customers in Tejgaon.

"Most customers in Tejgaon received electricity again through alternative arrangements," he said.

Tariqul added that power supply had also been interrupted to approximately 15,000 to 16,000 customers served by three feeders in the Banglamotor area.

According to the DPDC chief engineer, electricity was restored to the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and the Karwan Bazar commercial zone by 5pm, although around 15,000 customers elsewhere remained without power until the evening.

Repair work on the damaged breakers and cables was continuing.

"If conditions remain favourable, we are trying to restore normal electricity supply to all affected areas by 10pm," Tariqul said.