by AZALEA AZUAR / graphic by MZUKRI MOHAMAD

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) has made early preparations to manage potential floods that are expected to occur in the upcoming annual monsoon season.

According to TNB chief distribution officer Wan Nazmy Wan Mahmood, TNB’s goal is to ensure a smooth and orderly flood disaster management during every monsoon season by providing sufficient electricity supply and minimising damage to the TNB installations in flood-prone areas.

“Moreover, TNB has already held flood coordination meetings with the state and district Disaster Management Committees, conducted training sessions on floods and ensured that our technical staff are prepared,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

The mobile generator sets, portable generators and critical appliances during flood operations such as boats, satellite phones and floodlights had also been placed at several strategic locations, ready to be used during the season.

TNB will also open operation rooms in strategic areas to monitor the situation and provide the latest information on electric supply.

“Since the major floods in 2014, TNB has taken steps to raise the substation site and build flood barriers at the substation entrance to reduce the risk of the substation being inundated and damaged by floods.

“However, in the event that an electrical substation gets flooded and its operation has to be stopped, the reconnection will only be made when the situation is safe,” said Wan Nazmy.

He also urged consumers who have been cut off from their electricity supply during the floods to immediately contact TNB at 15454 or the TNB Careline Facebook page so immediate action could be taken.

“The TNB Emergency Response Team, which is on duty 24 hours a day, will also be mobilised to reconnect the electricity supply that was cut off due to fallen trees and other reasons immediately,” he added.

Wan Nazmy said that people should be extra careful when using safety appliances if their premises are flooded.

This includes avoiding touching electrical appliances or switches with wet hands to prevent electric shock.

After the flood has subsided, people should call wiring contractors who are registered with the Energy Commission to inspect the wiring at the flooded premises, he said.