Unexpected technical glitch at Rampura substation plunges key areas of the capital into darkness; engineers racing to restore power

A major power disruption hit Dhaka on Sunday night following a sudden malfunction at the Rampura Grid Substation, leaving vast areas of the capital in complete darkness. The blackout, which began around 9:50 PM, caused immediate electricity outages in several densely populated neighborhoods, prompting concern among residents and businesses alike.

The affected areas include Rampura, Malibagh, Moghbazar, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Hatirjheel, and parts of Dhaka Medical College. Witnesses reported lights flickering and going out abruptly, with internet connectivity and mobile network services also experiencing temporary instability in certain zones.

The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) confirmed that the issue stemmed from an unexpected technical fault at the Rampura 230/132 kV grid substation. “A sudden technical malfunction occurred at around 9:50 PM at the Rampura substation, which disrupted electricity supply to several transmission lines connected to major parts of Dhaka,” said a senior PGCB official.

By 11:00 PM, when this report was filed, repair efforts were underway with PGCB engineers working on-site to identify the root of the fault and stabilize the power system. Officials indicated that the damage might be confined to a specific section of the grid, which they hoped would allow for faster restoration.

The disruption not only affected households but also caused temporary interruptions in commercial establishments, hospitals, and other essential service providers. Although backup generators kicked in at some facilities, others struggled to maintain regular operations due to the abrupt outage. Traffic congestion was also reported in several areas as traffic signals failed to function properly.

In response to inquiries, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, acknowledged the failure and assured the public that steps were being taken to restore supply through alternative lines. “There has been a disruption at the Rampura Grid Substation that has affected the power supply. PGCB engineers are actively working on restoration through alternate routes. We expect the situation to normalize shortly,” he said.

This is not the first time the capital has faced a grid failure of such magnitude. The incident highlights the fragility of the city’s aging power infrastructure, which has repeatedly come under scrutiny for its inability to handle rising demand and technical stress. Experts have long called for robust contingency systems and infrastructure upgrades to prevent such blackouts from cascading through urban centers.

As the city braced for the restoration of electricity, many residents took to social media to voice their concerns, some reporting being stuck in elevators or having difficulties managing patients on life-support equipment. Businesses that rely on uninterrupted power — including IT services, retail stores, and hospitality sectors — also expressed frustration over the lack of advance warning or timely communication.

While temporary blackouts are not uncommon in Dhaka, Sunday’s outage was particularly alarming due to the number of areas affected and the time it took to initiate restoration work. Some residents reported minor surges and fluctuations in voltage prior to the total power cut, suggesting an early sign of instability in the grid that went unchecked.

The Ministry of Power has stated that a full technical report will be prepared once the emergency repairs are completed. “Our immediate priority is to restore electricity to all affected areas,” a PGCB spokesperson added. “Afterward, a thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure such faults can be avoided in the future.”

Meanwhile, experts from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) are also monitoring the situation and have been dispatched to coordinate alongside PGCB. Though no official timeline was provided for complete restoration, unofficial sources suggested partial supply had begun returning to some zones after 11:30 PM.

For now, many Dhaka residents remain hopeful that power will be restored swiftly — but also increasingly aware that the capital’s electrical backbone may need more than just temporary fixes to withstand future crises.