The country's two largest cities have started large-scale examinations of their power grids in preparation for flooding during the up coming rainy season.

Tran Khiem Tuan, deputy general director of the HCM City Power Corporation, a subsidiary of Electricity of Vietnam, said that his corporation called on its branches to check electricity networks throughout the city.

Branches were requested to actively co-operate with the People's Committees of districts and communes in order to remove all illegally connected lighting systems while paying special attention to the lighting networks of school, kindergarten, entertainment and residential areas.

Task forces will be required to assist authorities in checking equipment such as Automatic Teller Machines, vendor machines and electric advertising boards installed in public areas, Tuan said.

In areas prone to flooding and high tides equipment need to be placed in high, safe areas. All unsafe circuit breakers and meters had to be replaced, he added.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi Power Corporation (EVN Hanoi) has called on its branches to ensure stable power supplies to areas hosting the National Assembly and People's Council Elections.

The General Director of EVN Hanoi Tran Duc Hung, said that, from May 15 to 25, power would not be cut off.

Since the start of May, the city has consumed an average of 27.9 million kWh per day. Consumption is predicted to reach 40 million kWh per day if temperatures hit 42 Degrees Celsius./.