Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), Coimbatore region, has issued a monsoon electrical safety advisory as the northeast monsoon is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and cyclonic conditions to the region. The advisory asks residents to take precautions against electric shocks, exposed wiring and damaged installations during periods of waterlogging and power disruption.
TNPDCL has urged households to install 30-milliampere residual current devices (RCDs) in their electrical systems. These devices are designed to disconnect the power supply when they detect leakage, helping reduce the risk of electric shock.
Residents have been warned not to approach fallen electricity poles, snapped conductors, stay wires, exposed cables or damaged electrical installations. The utility has also asked people to switch off the mains immediately if water enters their premises or if they notice sparks, smoke or leakage near electrical equipment.
The advisory cautions residents against operating electrical appliances or switches with wet hands or while standing on wet surfaces. People have also been told not to connect generators directly to house wiring, as improper connections can endanger occupants and utility workers. Children should be kept away from electrical installations, while banners and hoardings should not be fixed to electric poles.
TNPDCL said anyone experiencing an electric shock should not touch the victim directly. The power supply must first be disconnected. If that is not immediately possible, a dry wooden object may be used to separate the person from the electrical source, according to the safety instructions issued by the utility.
Electrical hazards and related incidents can be reported through TNPDCL’s 24-hour helpline at 94987 94987. The reporting channel is particularly relevant during heavy rain, when fallen infrastructure, waterlogging and damaged connections can make hazards difficult to identify from a distance.
The utility said it has undertaken precautionary measures to maintain power supply and prevent electrical accidents during the monsoon. Stocks of electric poles, transformers, conductors, emergency materials and restoration equipment have been placed at strategic locations for deployment during emergencies.
TNPDCL has also formed special response teams at the section, sub-division and division levels to restore electricity during monsoon-related disruptions. Hospitals, drinking-water supply schemes, public health institutions and emergency facilities will receive priority during restoration work, the utility said.
