Bihar Governor Buta Singh Saturday directed officials to take urgent steps as residents here protested against the long power cuts that have left parts of the city without water.

Angry residents demonstrated against the 10-15 hour power cuts and almost negligible water supply by blocking roads and burning effigies of the governor.

The protesters forced the shutdown of shops in the main markets and threatened to intensify their stir Sunday.

State Chief Secretary G.S. Kang held a meeting with Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) officials in the evening to take steps to improve the power supply, a senior official told.

Bihar is facing severe power shortage since March but the situation has worsened in the summer.

Most parts of the city reeled under long power cuts at night in the first week of June.

"There have been power cuts for 10 to 15 hours in major residential areas for over a week," an official said.

According to BSEB, the state needs a minimum 995 MW but is getting around 700 MW.