'Plant shorter trees'
Sulaymaniyah electricity directorate warns against planting trees near power lines
SULAYMANIYAH — The Sulaymaniyah Electricity Directorate is urging local residents to ensure that trees near their homes do not come into contact with power lines, highlighting significant safety risks.
Chalak Abdulkarim, an engineer and GIS surveyor at the Sulaymaniyah Electricity Directorate, informed 964media of the dangers, particularly during the winter months when trees can become conductive after becoming wet. “When trees touch the upper 11 kV lines, which carry high voltage, it can lead to short circuits and issues for the feeder, complicating repairs and inspections,” Abdulkarim explained.
To prevent such hazards, Abdulkarim advises against planting tall trees near power lines. “Planting shorter trees that are less likely to grow into power lines is a safer option and can prevent many of these issues,” he said.
Additionally, the engineer noted that the directorate has proposed replacing current power lines with insulated cables to further reduce the risk of accidents. However, this suggestion has not yet received approval.
Abdulkarim also pointed out past incidents where individuals, including children, have suffered electrocution due to trees contacting power lines near their homes. This underscores the critical need for community awareness and proactive management of vegetation near electrical infrastructure to ensure public safety.
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