It's only early March, but the electricity crisis has been so acute that the city dwellers in Bangladesh feel like it is already high summer.

Most areas in the capital Dhaka are experiencing frequent power cuts. The residents shudder to think how things will be when the summer is in full swing.

So far, Khilgaon, Rampura, Banasri and Mirpur have been the worst-hit. In last few days, power has gone out up to 20 times a day.

Students studying for the Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate exams are the most affected as the blackouts are hampering their preparations.

"We could not sleep on Monday (March 8) night because the power went out at least 30 times during the night and it was difficult to sleep without a fan," said Anwar, a resident of Khilgaon.

He said the lack of power also prevents water being lifted from underground reservoirs into rooftop tanks.

Sheuli, a resident of Rampura Banasri, said she had electricity for just one hour until yesterday (March 9) evening.

"Items in our refrigerator, particularly meat and fish, are rotting due to the continuous power outage," she said.

The load shedding has also started creeping into the lives of residents in Uttara, Kalabagan, Mirpur, Pallabi, Gendaria, Ulan, Lalbagh and Islambagh.

The present situation indicates a severe power crisis in the coming months.

The woes of residents will be exacerbated during the heat of summer.

Noorjahan, a resident of Gendaria, said, "We are already facing around six power cuts almost every day.

"God knows what will happen in the upcoming summer."

Arif, a resident of Kalabagan, said, "Load shedding occurred about seven times on Monday.

"This increased the sufferings caused by mosquito bites."

On Monday (March 8) the Power Development Board generated 3,927 MW power against the demand of 5,100 MW during the evening peak hour.

A drop in gas pressure in the national grid and other problems in power plants has caused a daily power load shedding of 1,000 MW to 1,500 MW throughout the country.

Managing director of Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) Md Ataul Masud said there is a gap between the demand and supply of electricity.

During the peak hours, the gap is around 300 MW and in the off-peak hours the gap is between 140 MW to 160 MW.

Masud said that if the PDB can run full generators, there will be less power outages during summer than there are currently.

He added, "Around 1,500 MW power has been going out of Dhaka for irrigation. When the rains start in a month the electricity will no longer be required for irrigation."

Masud added that Ulan Sub Station of Power Grid Company trips automatically when the frequency lowers, which is why the areas of Khilgaon, Rampura and Banasri have faced severe power outages.

He said a letter will be sent to the power grid company on Tuesday (March 9) requesting them not to use a low frequency.