Power Grid Failure and Substation Explosion Plunge Chattogram Into Darkness
A major substation explosion in Chattogram has left nearly one hundred thousand customers without power. The technical failure and subsequent blasts have severely disrupted local businesses and high school examinations during extreme heat.
A catastrophic power grid failure and subsequent substation explosion have plunged widespread areas of Chattogram into darkness, leaving nearly one hundred thousand electricity customers facing an severe power crisis. The major infrastructural breakdown occurred within the jurisdiction of Chattogram, affecting both Boalkhali Upazila and Patiya. Local authorities and power sector organizations have confirmed that the incident has completely paralyzed the regional electricity supply network, severely impacting daily life, academic schedules, and commercial activities across the affected zones.
According to verified reports, the incident unfolded late at night on Saturday, August 22. At approximately 1:30 AM, a severe technical malfunction developed within a transformer at the 132/33 kV substation operated by the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) in Boalkhali Upazila. Simultaneously, the situation escalated dramatically when two current transformers (CTs) of a 33 kV feeder exploded. The violent blasts and ensuing mechanical failure completely shut down the entire substation, cutting off the vital electricity flow that sustains the surrounding communities.
The sudden halt in operations has inflicted a heavy toll on the local population, with approximately one hundred thousand consumers across Boalkhali and Patiya left struggling without electricity. Normally, this critical infrastructure supplies approximately 20 to 22 megawatts of electricity to the region. With production completely halted due to the damaged transformer, the disruption has severely impacted local commerce. For instance, local businesses such as Ashadia Bakery have reported financial damages exceeding 20,000 taka due to production stoppages and spoilage risks.
The power blackout has also created extreme hardship for students, particularly those currently appearing for their HSC examinations. Imtiaz Ahmed, an affected student, described the miserable conditions, stating that he had to sit for his exams amid unbearable heat and noting that excessive sweating even soaked his exam scripts. Citizens across the board have expressed severe frustration as they cope with stifling temperatures and a complete lack of electricity for basic daily needs and academic preparations.
In response to the crisis, technical teams have been deployed to assess and address the massive structural damage. Mohammad Kayes, a representative from Chattogram Palli Bidyut Samity-1, provided an assessment of the ongoing repair challenges, explaining that the transformer is completely ruined and will take time to fix, though repair crews are actively working on the ground. However, given the extent of the structural destruction and the complexity of the repairs required, PGCB and local utility officials estimate that it could take approximately one month to fully restore the substation and bring the power grid back to normal operations.
