Electricity, What Electricity?

We live in the diplomatic zone in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, and are supposed to have the most reliable power in the country.  Even so, the power cuts out for rolling blackouts on a regular basis, and often at unexpected times.  I can't imagine what it's like in the rural areas.  Everyone just ignores the blackouts and continues with what they were doing.  In most of our buildings a generator will kick in after 5 seconds or so and at least provide limited lighting.  Unfortunately you do lose your AC, internet and kitchen appliances.  Alas, building codes are not up to worldwide standards here.  A few nights ago, the generator in one of the teacher apartment buildings did not shut off when the power came back on.  This resulted in an explosion and fire in the main circuit breaker, and then the transformers down the power line blew as the generator continued to run.  Fortunately the building is concrete, so most of the damage was from the smoke.   Apparently last year a new building was going up in our neighborhood.  Someone had grounded the satellite dish to the gas line (well, it is a metal pipe that goes into the ground).  As you can imagine, during a lightening storm the gas line blew.  Fortunately no one was living there yet.  It makes me very glad I am living in an older building that is time tested.