Bingin Teluk, KOTABARI.COM – For the past ten days, residents of Rawas Ilir Subdistrict, North Musi Rawas Regency (Muratara), particularly in Bingin Teluk, have been enduring a challenging life without electricity and signal, all due to the inundation caused by flooding. The high water levels, submerging houses, have forced PLN (State Electricity Company) to cut off the power supply to prevent potential hazards to the population.
Maria, a resident of Bingin Teluk, revealed that PLN electricity and signals vanished since January 11, 2024. While some other villages have already restored their electricity, Bingin Teluk remains isolated, and the lights are still out.
The primary reason for the power outage is the high floodwaters, submerging many houses up to their roofs. Maria expressed her concern, stating, “Many houses are already submerged up to the roof, which is dangerous. Perhaps that’s why PLN decided to cut off the power.”
Not only electricity but also telecommunication signals disappeared, believed to be because the telecommunication towers depend on PLN electricity. “If the signal is lost, it’s probably because the electricity is out. Usually, when the power goes out, the signal follows suit,” she explained.
PLN Strives for Electricity Restoration Post-Flooding
Meanwhile, PLN is diligently working to expedite the restoration of electricity supply to the flood-affected areas in Muratara Regency. PLN UP3 Lahat and ULP Lubuk Linggau are actively restoring electricity post-flood by normalizing substations that are now safe from water.
While several substations are now operational after being temporarily shut down due to the flood, 65 PLN personnel, including technical services and two maintenance crews, remain on standby in the affected locations. Teguh Aang Harmadi, Manager of PLN UP3 Lahat, mentioned that electricity went out because some substations are still submerged.
“To anticipate unwanted incidents, there are still substations that cannot be operated,” he said. PLN personnel are continuously patrolling and working towards normalization when conditions are deemed safe according to safety standards.
PLN is also coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders, including the regent, BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), and relevant departments, to safeguard PLN assets and ensure the smooth process of electricity normalization. The PLN team is making efforts to normalize substations as soon as they are deemed safe.