Rains and blackout
A significant part of the city of São Paulo (the largest in Brazil in terms of population) was without electricity for more than 1 day. The reason was “torrential rains and strong winds”. And as ALWAYS happens, trees fell on the power lines and all the associated consequences.
This “phenomenon” occurs every year. It is very well known. Good engineering techniques specify that the area around the power lines must always be “clean” precisely to prevent them from being exposed to physical damage that ends up interrupting the power supply. There is a list of agencies and companies that should take the established precautions specified in the sector’s regulations.
ANEEL (REGULATOR)
It should inspect the local concessionaire to ensure that the power grids are operating as they should – it counts on financial compensation that is included in the power rates.
CITY HALL
It should take the initiative to permanently inspect the trees and arrange for their pruning and/or removal whenever they pose a danger to the power lines.
ECRETARY OF GREEN AND ENVIRONMENT
Should have a proactive stance to help map and evaluate trees that need to be pruned, removed or treated to prevent them from causing “accidents”.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Should have a plan with activities, deadlines and those responsible for carrying out the removal (in time) of trees identified by the City Hall, the Department of Green and Environment and the concessionaire.
MAYOR and GOVERNOR
Should, together with all those involved, encourage coordinated and systemic work to prevent the same old occurrences. But the Brazilian preference has always been the same. Each of the “actors” listed above “blames” the other and nothing changes from year to year.
The central problem is: lack of capable and active leadership in each of these agencies, which costs money but does not “deliver”.
