normal life.

The demand during peak hours during day time and at night is around 88 MW but the supply is around 32 MW, PDB sources said.

On an average, less than 16 MW is

supplied against a demand for 30 MW during day time peak hours.

Only 16 to 22 MW is supplied against the minimum demand for 58 MW during peak hours at night.

Peak hours are from 10 AM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM.

Besides regular load shading, low voltage is a serious problem to consumers. Electrical appliances often trip and go out of order due to this.

HSC examinees and farmers are the worst sufferers. Farmers have to switch off their irrigation pumps due to frequent loan shedding, farmers in many areas told this correspondent.

The load shedding and low voltage also keeps water supply pumps in the city inoperative for hours, causing disruption in water supply.

Power outage continues at least four hours at a stretch by rotation in different areas of the city due to load shedding, citizens said.

The advent of the season of nor'westers has aggravated the situation.

Once disrupted, power supply is not restored in several hours, many of them alleged while talking to this correspondent.

PDB officials however said they snap power supply during squally wind to avoid accidents from short circuit and other problems caused by over-loading.