HÀ NỘI — The number of electrical breakdowns in the south in the first six months this year increased sharply compared with the same period last year, said the Safety Department under the Southern Power Corporation of Vietnam Electricity (SPC EVN).

A total of 12 breakdowns happened on the 110kV electric system, an increase of nine compared with the same period last year.

As many as 37 breakdowns happened on the 22kV electric system, an increase of six cases.

Several provinces and cities witnessed a high number of electrical breakdowns such as Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and Đồng Tháp.

Dương Văn Vị, director of the Safety Department, told the Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper that the reasons for the breakdowns were residents cutting down trees and flying kites on the roads damaging electric wires. Several vehicles collided into the electric poles and construction work also affected the wires.

Nguyễn Văn Tư, deputy director of the Đồng Tháp Electric Company, said that besides electric breakdowns, accidents related to electricity were on the rise.

Last year the province saw 24 electrical accidents killing 20 and injuring five.

Reasons included short circuits, unsafe wires and carelessness while using electricity, he said.

According to Vị the electric system at present still has several faults, so the risks of electric accidents remain high.

Some parts of the 110kV electric system pass rubber tree planting areas and there is little safe space between the trees and the electric wire.

The 22kV electric system has bare wires and passes crowded residential quarters with many trees.

Besides, many houses and other construction works were built in the electric safety corridor, he said.

Moreover, some provinces planted trees in the electric safety corridor.

Bình Dương Province planted trees along roads in the province and in the safety corridor of the 22kV system creating difficulties for electrical operation, said Vị.

Vị said that departments under the EVN SPC conducted different measures to reduce the electric breakdowns.

A steering committee was set up to protect the electric system and more workers were assigned to check the electric safety corridor.

The EVN SPC co-operated with localities to mete out punishment for violations.

Instructions were given to residents to raise their awareness on using electricity and protecting the electric system. — VNS