Erosion Exposes Critical Submarine Power Cables Serving Sandwip Island
Photo Collected
Two submarine power cables supplying electricity to the island of Sandwip have been exposed due to severe riverbank erosion in the Bauria Union. The shifting soil along the Sandwip Channel, driven by powerful currents in the Bay of Bengal, has left approximately 40 feet of the cables visible during low tide, raising concerns about the long-term reliability of the island’s power supply.
The cables, which link Sandwip to the national power grid, were installed to provide a stable energy source for the island’s residents. According to officials from the Power Development Board, the dual-cable system is designed to support up to 50 megawatts of electricity, though the island currently receives about 10 megawatts. With a projected lifespan of 50 years, the infrastructure is now facing an unexpected physical threat shortly after its implementation, which began in 2018.
The exposure, located roughly 1.5 kilometers from the Bauria Union landing station, was first identified by local residents and fishermen. Recent social media footage showing the 18-inch diameter cables—which were originally buried 15 feet underground—has triggered widespread alarm among the local community. Observers noted that the erosion has claimed nearly half a kilometer of land, stripping away the protective earth cover and leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to human interference and environmental damage.
Local activists and residents have urged authorities to take immediate action, warning that any physical damage to the cables could plunge the entire island into a blackout. Omar Faisal, a coordinator for the local organization “Amra Sandwipbashi,” emphasized that while the exposed cables have become a source of curiosity for some, the potential for a catastrophic failure of the power supply requires urgent intervention.
In response to the growing crisis, Sandwip’s executive engineer for the Power Development Board, Tanvir Ahmed Chowdhury, confirmed that the matter has been escalated to senior authorities. Additionally, Upazila Executive Officer Amjad Hossain stated that he has been formally notified of the situation and has instructed local police and Ansar-VDP units to increase security patrols in the area to safeguard the cables from further tampering while a technical solution is formulated.
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