"We are not getting adequate power from the National Grid and as such we can not distribute power among all the feeder lines", the PDB Executive Engineer told this correspondent yesterday.

Acute power outage has hit both urban and rural areas of Gaibandha district that adversely affects IRRI-Boro cultivation, trade and students.

The power supply position deteriorated in last seven days. In the district town, load shedding has increased to 10-12 hours a day, residents said. The situation is precarious in remote rural areas.

In Shaghata upazila, Pally Biddyut Samity officials said they have to ration power supply because of the crisis.

Farmers there said their Irri-Boro crops are being affected due to lack of proper irrigation in the peak season.