Bhubaneswar: Odisha Energy department today appealed the power consumers in the State to switch off all lights from 9 PM to 9.09 PM on April 5, but not at once.

The appeal is made to ensure smooth and reliable operations and safety of the power system during the period, the department said in a statement.

It further said residential, housing society and residential apartments are requested not to switch off/on their main supply of feeder/main level for sudden decrease and increase of load during 9 pm and 9.09 pm respectively.

This apart, running appliances (fan, refrigerator and AC etc) should not be switched off during this period, the statement added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed people for voluntarily switching-off house lights at 9 PM on April 5 for nine minutes to show unity and solidarity during COVID-19 lockdown.