Frequent power outage accompanied by sweltering heat wave are hindering the people’s lives at all levels here at the port city Chittagong. Acute water crisis in many areas of the port city has also compounded the people’s sufferings. The people, especially the kids and aged persons of the port city and its outskirts are falling ill including heatstroke and suffering from prickly-heat. The people are also showing reluctance to leave home during the daytime to avoid sweltering heat.
The meteorological department today recorded 32.2 to 33 degree Celsius temperature in the port city today. The officials of Patenga Met Office, however, told The Independent that temperature may rise in the days to come.
Lion portion of the city routinely goes into darkness as soon as the evening approaches hindering night-time industrial production, lesson making of the students, secured movement in the city areas and other civic operations.The daytime industrial production are also being hindered by the frequent power outage.  Power Development Board (PDB) sources said that they could only supply half against the existing demand of power in the port city.
However, Public Relation Officer of the PDB, Chittagong Mohammad Muniruzzaman, told The Independent this afternoon that they could generate only 450 MW power against around 700 MW demand in the city today.
He also informed that they recorded 220 to 230 MW load shedding in the city on Wednesday.
Sources said the situation has worsened following the ongoing sweltering heat. To get the touch of some cool air during the load shedding the people of middle and upper class are either buying the IPS (instant power supply) to run their fans or buying the rechargeable fans from the market.
But, the people of middle and upper classes could not get rid from the sweltering heat as the rechargeable fans and IPS do not provide service for hours due to frequent power outage.
The people of lower class are seen rushing to the parks or shadow of trees during the daytime to come under touch of cool air.
Meanwhile, fares for manually drawn rickshaws, vans and pushcarts are on the rise in the port due to the unbearable working conditions. “I have been drinking saline water every half an hour to counter the severe sweating. The heat is like hell and it would not be possible pulling rickshaw if I do not drink a lot of water,” a rickshaw-puller told The Independent this noon.
The rickshaw pullers were also seen eating watermelon buying from roadside vendors during the daytime in the city with a view to get relieve from heat.  
Sales of seasonal fruits like watermelon, iced juices, and ice cream have also gone up due to the high demand.
On the other hand, majority of the city dwellers are facing acute water crisis. Due to unavailable supply from WASA, the city dwellers are forced to buy mineral water jar or bottles for daily usages including cooking rice.