Modi called for "turning off the lights for 9 minutes" and caused the power grid to collapse. The Indian Ministry of Electricity rushed to "clarify": only for ordinary houses!
[Global Network Reporter Wu Yuanchun] Indian Prime Minister Modi issued a national television speech on the new crown pneumonia epidemic on the 3rd local time, calling on the public to turn off the lights for 9 minutes at 9 pm on April 5th and pray for unity against the epidemic with "candle light". However, the proposal subsequently caused great controversy in the country, and Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Lauter warned that this measure may cause the grid to collapse, meaning that emergency services will also be affected. In this regard, according to the Hindustan Times report, the Ministry of Electric Power of India clarified that the Prime Minister ’s call to turn off the lights only targets ordinary houses and will not affect the grid system.
On April 3, local time, Modi issued India's third national television speech since the outbreak. In his speech, Modi called on the public to pray for the fight against the epidemic at 9 pm on Sunday. He said: "This Sunday, at 9pm on April 5, I want to take everyone 9 minutes, turn off all the lights at home, and light up oil lamps, candles, torches or even turn on on my balcony or yard. A flashlight on your mobile phone, so that everyone can feel the power of light and cheer for the fight against the epidemic together. We light up and pray together to light up the same sky and illuminate the dawn of victory, let this light tell us that everyone is working hard, we Not alone. "
The Indian Prime Minister's appeal immediately triggered a big argument in the country. Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Lauter warned that this measure may lead to the collapse of the national grid, which means that emergency services will also be affected. At the same time, the Joint Ministry of Power also held a meeting to assess the impact of power fluctuations on the grid.
"Hindustan Times" said that in response to the controversy caused by the call to turn off the lights, the Indian Ministry of Electric Power issued a notice on the 4th, saying that the outside world's concerns about the instability of the power grid caused by the lights off is "should not be." The announcement said: "The Indian power grid is strong and stable, and the (Ministry of Electricity) has adequate arrangements and procedures to respond to changes in demand." The announcement added that the call to turn off the lights is voluntary and does not apply to street lights or such as computers, televisions, fans, Household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners.
The Ministry of Electricity of India clarified in the announcement that the call to turn off the lights was only for ordinary houses. "Only the lights should be turned off." The announcement also said that the lights of hospitals and other basic service facilities, such as public utilities, municipal services, offices, police stations, manufacturing facilities, etc., would remain on. The Ministry of Electric Power of India clarified that this appeal only applies to ordinary houses. "For public safety, all local agencies are advised: keep the street lights on."