With advent of rains, power firms in Mumbai on alert to tackle any emergency

MUMBAI: With the advent of monsoon, all power utility firms in Mumbai are on alert. Adani Electricity activated its Central Disaster Control Centre this month to address any emergencies that are reported during the season.
The team will work 24x7 towards ensuring minimal supply downtime and quick turnaround on incidents reported.
Tata Power has carried out earth leakage tests at more than 10,000 feeder pillars, and junction boxes to improve public safety. A special drive was taken for tree trimming near Tata Power distribution substations to avoid them from falling on electrical installations. "Adequate dewatering pumps installed at all distribution and consumer sub-stations to avoid flooding," an official said.
Officials from BEST undertaking, which supplies power to 10.5 lakh consumers in island city, said they were also "monsoon ready". MSEDCL, which has consumers between Bhandup and Mulund, had also issued its helplines and appealed to citizens to stay safe from flooding, short circuits and shocks during the rains.
" We have carried out pre-monsoon checks and conducted preventive maintenance of equipment, including raising equipment identified within low-lying areas," said a senior official from Adani Electricity, which has 29 lakh consumers in suburbs. It has also installed the water level sensors across 125 locations that have been identified as very critical. Besides, Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been strategically deployed for emergency situations during heavy rains.
Said a Tata official: "Substations have been equipped with a rescue boat and life jackets in case this is required during heavy flooding in the city."
Said a BEST official: "This is the time to replace damaged electrical components like switches, plug sockets. Do not touch loose electrical wires or switches with wet hands.
If you see any sparks in the meter cabin, streetlight poles or distribution pillars during rains, do not touch them and alert our control rooms."
Added a MSEDCL official: "Ensure that the meter cabin providing electric supply to the premises is adequately protected from waterlogging or leakage. Put off the main switch in case there is water logging or leakage observed in the meter cabin."