State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has urged all parties carrying out excavation work to obtain the required approvals and follow safety measures to prevent damage to underground utility networks.

The appeal comes after a recent power disruption in Hulhumalé Phase II, where damage to underground electricity cables caused service interruptions in several areas. In a statement, STELCO said the outage occurred during ongoing roadworks.

Technical teams responded promptly and restored electricity to all affected areas, the company said.

STELCO stated that the damage was caused by negligence during excavation works. It also highlighted a similar incident on 12 April, when damage to a main cable resulted in a major outage across parts of Hulhumalé Phase II.

Investigations using fault detection equipment found that the cable had sustained earlier damage at another location. The issue had not been reported and had instead been concealed with tape, STELCO said.

Following the incident, STELCO held discussions with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to address the issue and identify measures to prevent further disruptions.

The company emphasised that underground cables are installed to international standards, with protective layers and warning tapes clearly marking their location. It noted that such incidents can be avoided if greater care is taken during excavation work.

STELCO also called on contractors, companies and individuals to report any cable damage immediately, and reiterated the need to obtain clearance from relevant authorities and follow safety protocols to minimise service disruptions.