ILIGAN CITY , Philippines - A snake that accidentally crawled inside the switchyard of the company that supplies electricity caused a three-hour brownout in some parts of this city Saturday night.
The snake’s “adventure” caused the tripping off of the 69KVA transmission line, according to a spokesman for the National Transmission Corp. (Transco).
Beth Ladaga, Transco communications officer, said the snake was trying to get to the bird’s nest located on top of one of the insulators inside the company’s switchyard in barangay Maria Cristina, when it got stuck.
The incident caused a short circuit that triggered the tripping off of the 69KVA in barangay Kiwalan and the ensuing brownout in some parts of this city.
Power was restored at 11 p.m. after a company engineer traced the cause and removed the snake.
The incident happened while Metro Manila was still reeling from storm “Ondoy” and bracing for incoming typhoon “Pepeng.”
In 2000, a similar incident happened at the same switchyard, sending residents into a panic after rebel groups threatened to topple transmission lines when former President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against them.