Lights out at Batu Caves

Devotees plunged into darkness as electricity cut dampens Thaipusam festivities somewhat.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu devotees who thronged Batu Caves to fulfil their religious vows in conjunction with the festival of Thaipusam, were left unprepared when they were plunged into semi-darkness when electricity supply to the areas was disrupted from 8.53pm, lasting till midnight.

Batu Caves temple committee member, N Sivakumar said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) used one of its big generators to light up the temple in the cave, although power supply was unstable.

He said this was the first time a blackout had occurred during the Thaipusam festival.

Meanwhile, a full moon, a spotlight and lights from nearby stalls helped illuminate the area and enabled devotees to continue with their religious rituals.

Sivakumar said the temple committee also tried to obtain two additional generators to back up the existing TNB generator.

Gombak district police chief, ACP Ali Ahmad said the situation at Batu Caves was under control despite the semi-darkness.

“It is dark at the Batu Caves steps but not so dark in other parts of the area. TNB is looking into the cause of the power supply disruption,” he said when contacted.

He added that the devotees should not be worried as policemen were present to ensure their safety.

The power outage also disrupted a visit by Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali whose speech had to be cancelled upon his arrival at Batu Caves at 8.15pm.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Azmin said: “This is beyond us. We didn’t expect it (power supply disruption). But I think the situation will not affect the celebration here.”

For S Deva who has been going to the temple for 30 years, last night’s power outage was the first of its kind.

Another devotee, who gave his name only as Maniapan, said the incident did not affect the ceremony although the atmosphere seemed less festive without the coloured lights.

Meanwhile TNB when contacted said the power outage was due to a flashover (abnormal electrical discharge) in one of the stations in Batu Caves.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Corporate Affairs and Communications senior general manager Datuk Mohd Aminuddin Mohd Amin said TNB engineers were still investigating the cause of the flashover.

“Electricity supply was restored via a mobile generator on standby but was short-lived due to overloading from the extensive temporary supply connections.

“The TNB team is at the scene to restore supply from two additional mobile generators,” he said in statement.

Mohd Aminuddin added traffic police were assisting to direct the generators to Batu Caves due to the heavy traffic and the big crowd.

- BERNAMA