State-owned electricity firm PLN has temporarily shut down electricity in parts of Jakarta for safety reasons after heavy rains caused severe floods in the capital city from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the firm said that as of 9:30 a.m., power in 724 flood-hit areas in the city had been shut down to prevent any electricity-related accidents.

The areas included, but were not limited to, Karet Pasar Baru Barat and its surroundings, Kedoya Utara, Tanjung Duren, Pancoran, Pejaten Timur, Jati Petamburan, Kebon Jeruk Raya and Raya Daan Mogot.

Read also: Flights disrupted, trains delayed as massive floods hit Jakarta

"We are very sorry for the incident. We will secure the electricity until it is safe so that people won't experience any electric shocks," PLN Jakarta's distribution unit general manager, Ikhsan Asaad, said in the statement.

The firm also suggested that flood-affected residents turn off their electricity through their meter circuit breakers, unplug any devices still attached to electricity sockets, put their electric devices in higher and safer places and request a shut down through the 123 PLN Mobile application or at the nearest PLN office.

Once the floods subside, PLN recommended that people ensure their electric devices and electricity networks were dry before putting them to use. The firm said it would do the same with its own networks.

"PLN and representatives of the residents will sign official reports to return electricity to normal once all devices and networks of the residents and the PLN are equally ready," Ikhsan said. (ars)