Submarine Cable Exposure Sparks Power Security Concerns in Sandwip
The two primary submarine power cables supplying electricity from the national grid to Bauria Union in Sandwip, an island upazila of Chattogram, have become completely exposed after protective soil layers were washed away by strong tidal currents and coastal erosion in the Sandwip Channel of the Bay of Bengal.
The erosion has occurred approximately 1.5 kilometers from the landing station in Ward No. 5 of Bauria Union. During low tide, nearly 40 feet of the cables remain visibly exposed above the surface.
The exposure of these highly sensitive and strategically important state assets has raised fears of a major accident and the possibility of a prolonged power disruption across the island at any time.
According to local residents, the situation emerged after nearly half a kilometer of flat coastal land was eroded away. Although the cables were buried at a significant depth when installed in 2017, they are now clearly visible during low tide. Locals reported seeing young people standing on the cables, dancing, and filming TikTok videos—activities that pose serious risks. The issue first came to the attention of fishermen and herders several days ago and spread rapidly on social media after a local youth posted a Facebook video on Saturday.
Following concerns over the safety of this critical national grid infrastructure, local authorities and the power sector have taken action. Tanvir Ahmed Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) in Sandwip, said the matter was promptly reported in writing to higher authorities upon discovery.
Meanwhile, Amjad Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sandwip, said he became aware of the situation through a formal communication from the power department and has since initiated emergency protective measures. To ensure the security of the vital installation, he has already instructed the police and the Ansar-VDP to intensify patrols in the coastal area and implement all necessary protective arrangements.
It is worth noting that electricity from the national grid first reached Sandwip through these submarine cables in 2018, bringing a major transformation to the island's power infrastructure. According to power sector officials, the two submarine cables have a combined transmission capacity of approximately 50 megawatts. However, due to current local demand, only one cable is being used to deliver around 10 megawatts of electricity.
As part of long-term infrastructure planning, the expected operational lifespan of the two cables was set at 50 years. Field observations indicate that the cables, each measuring approximately 18 inches in diameter, have emerged from nearly 15 feet beneath the seabed and now extend directly into open water.
DBTech/BTCO/EK/OR
