Turn off main switchboard during floods - SEB

KUCHING, Jan 12  -- Switch off the main switchboard in the house. This is the advice of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) to people caught in floods.

The state power provider also reminded its customers to move electrical equipment to an elevated position or area above the anticipated flood level at the earliest sign of rising water levels.

SEB, in a statement today, said they are monitoring the situation in Sarawak very closely as weather forecasts from the Malaysian Meteorological Department predict that several parts of the state will experience strong winds and heavy rainfall in the coming weeks which may lead to floods in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

To keep the public safe from electrical hazards, SEB said it will switch off the power supply to substations and other facilities without prior notice in the event of a flood or when rising water levels lead to dangerous situations.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and practise safety precautions during heavy rain or when water levels are rising, the statement added.

“Avoid using or touching electrical devices or switches with wet or moist hands, avoid going near submerged electrical installations (poles, substations, transformers etc.) and if in a boat in a flooded area, be cautious of power lines. Swollen rivers may elevate the water level closer to high tension lines,” it added.

After the floods, members of the public were advised to be aware of fallen electrical poles or lines and not attempt to operate electrical appliances which had been submerged in flood waters as this may cause electrocution or fire.

The public is advised to engage a qualified electrician registered with Syarikat SESCO Bhd to inspect home/building wirings before switching on the main supply. A list of registered electricians can be found on https://www.sarawakenergy.com/customers/customer-service.

For more information, customers can contact SEB's 24/7 Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or email to customercare@sarawakenergy.com. Customers can also reach the utility provider through its mobile app SEB cares, which can be downloaded via Google Play Store and Apple App Store.  

-- BERNAMA