A system breakdown occurred in 230 KV Thapyaywa-Taungdwingyi national grid, causing total blackouts across the country including Yangon region for hours on October 15, announced Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

The authorities managed to start two Paunglaung generators around 6:30 am and supplied electricity to Nay Pyi Taw initially through 230 KV Pyinmana sub-power station and No.1 sub-power station in Nay Pyi Taw. The ministry is planning emergency measures to supply electricity to big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay as soon as possible, it said.

Yangon residents faced total blackout around 6 am and some townships in the region regained the electricity supply after 7:30 am.

“The system breakdown occurred as a 230 KV power cable from Thapyaywa-Taungdwingyi national grid was cut off. We re-supplied power after 7:30 am. We cannot provide electricity to all townships at the present as demand is increased,” said a person from call center of Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC).

All traffic lights in many townships including sub-urban townships ceased to function after the blackout, leading to long traffic jams, said locals.

“When I came to Tamwe from South Dagon, traffic lights were not working and cars were jammed. It took awhile to reach my destination,” said a person living in South Dagon Township.

While traffic lights in some townships including Bahan Township were returned to normal around 8 am, traffic lights in some townships were still shut off.

“The traffic light in Shwe Gone Tine is back to normal after 8 am and some traffic lights in University Avenue Road and Thamine were still not working,” said a driver.

Most of the traffic lights in Yangon are depended solely on electricity and only a few of them come equipped with a solar energy system to function in cases of emergency such as a blackout.