Though the monsoon has given respite from the scorching heat, the power distribution companies- BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), on Sunday issued monsoon advisory, urging people to stay away from electrical installations like electricity poles, sub-stations, transformers, streetlights and follow simple safety guidelines ahead of the monsoon season.
The Discoms also advised to get entire wiring in your premises thoroughly checked and tested by the Licensed Electrical Contractor.
A BSES spokesperson added that some of the unique problems during monsoons are water-logging, strong winds uprooting trees, falling branches that damage electricity installations resulting in outages. “Adhering to simple safety guidelines and maintaining social distancing from electricity infrastructure, BSES and its consumers together can help ensure safe and incident free monsoon season,” he said.
“In the event you notice any fallen cable, pole or exposed wiring or an emergency please inform us on 19123 (for South & West Delhi) and 19122 for (East & Central Delhi) areas,” he said.
In order to safeguard human lives and electrical equipments, it also becomes necessary to switch off the electricity supply to an affected area as a precautionary measure. The discoms’ monsoon action plan has an integrated and proactive approach, which is not only aimed at ensuring consumers’ safety but is also aimed at minimizing the down time of power supply arising out of exigencies during monsoon.
Explaining its Monsoon plans, a BSES official said, " We are geared up to ensure reliable power supply to our over 48 lakh consumers and over 2 crore residents while taking all safety measures that are required during rainy season. Consumers can play a very important role in ensuring an incident free monsoon by following simple safety guidelines".
BSES spokesperson added that height of the foundation (base) of transformers in low-lying areas increased to safe levels and prevent water logging that in turn may create seepage and moisture in the switchgear.
The advisory cautioned children from playing near electricity installations, even if they are barricaded. Advise them not play in parks that are water logged. “Put off the main switch in case there is water logging or leakage observed in the meter cabin. Put on the main switch only on ensuring that all faults have been rectified properly. Install an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) to help avoid shocks and mishaps. Keep a “Tester” at home. If a switch is wet, do not touch it. First use a “Tester” to check if there is an electricity leakage. If need be, call your electrician,” reads the advisory.
“Power-theft by way of hooking into an electricity system poses a serious safety hazard, especially during the monsoon months. Invariably these ‘hooked on’ wires are not insulated or properly fixed, in case of windy or rainy weather, they can fall-off, and cause grievous injuries or even fatalities. BSES appeals to all citizens of Delhi to please report and convince people not to illegally draw electricity by hooking on to mainlines or electrical equipments,” it said.
The BSES said another reason for outages is unplanned digging for road repair or to lay cables/ pipelines. This not only causes outages (sometimes for long duration), but can also be a serious safety threat – especially during the rainy season - for the area residents/passersby, as also for the workers involved in the digging. For your safety, if you dig or come across digging, please inform BSES.
On Sunday, a 34-year-old woman died of electrocution after accidentally coming in contact with a live wire at the New Delhi railway station complex, police said.