Amaravati, Oct 25 Andhra Pradesh Minister G Ravi Kumar on Sunday directed power utilities to take precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply amid the threat of Cyclone Arnab.
Kumar held a teleconference with the chairpersons and managing directors of distribution companies (DISCOMs), directors and district-level officials to review preparedness and assess measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply during heavy rainfall and strong winds.
“Officials should ensure round-the-clock availability of field personnel and undertake immediate restoration of power supply wherever disruptions occur amid the threat posed by Cyclone Arnab,” the state Energy minister said in a press release.
He stressed the need for planning to prevent loss of life and damage to property.
Officials at the district, mandal and village levels were directed to remain accessible and coordinate with other government departments to ensure a swift response to emergencies, he said.
Officials informed the minister that 25,000 electric poles and other essential materials had been kept ready to meet emergency requirements.
The Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh (SPDCL) was prepared to deploy additional personnel in areas likely to be severely affected.
Kumar directed officials to identify and remove hazardous hoardings in coordination with the departments concerned and take all necessary precautions to prevent electrical accidents.
He urged people to exercise caution during the cyclone and heavy rainfall and advised them to keep away from fallen electric wires and damaged electricity poles.
He asked the public to report electricity-related complaints and emergencies to the toll-free helpline 1912, emphasising the importance of public safety and prompt power restoration.
Special Chief Secretary, Energy, K Vijayanand directed power utilities to implement emergency preparedness measures on a war footing.
CMDs and directors were instructed to camp in vulnerable areas from October 26 until the cyclone threat subsided, he said.
He restricted routine leave for zonal chief engineers, superintending engineers and key technical personnel involved in disaster management to ensure their availability throughout the emergency.
Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation Limited (APTRANSCO) has placed its transmission network and extra-high-tension (EHT) substations on high alert.
It has mobilised restoration teams, secured tower spares and arranged dewatering pumps at substations vulnerable to flooding.
The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has kept 309 contractor teams, comprising 4,056 personnel, ready for deployment.
It has established 30 divisional-level control rooms and a dedicated round-the-clock control room at its corporate office.
The utility has mobilised diesel generators, pole-drilling machines, power saws and cranes. Its restoration materials include 1,180 km of conductors and more than 70,700 prestressed cement concrete electricity poles.
Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) has positioned 1,200 electricity poles, 250 distribution transformers and 60 specialised restoration teams at district stores and strategic locations. Dewatering motors, backup generators and wireless communication sets have also been kept ready.
The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) has strengthened its preparedness in Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor districts, keeping 27,838 electricity poles, 3,652 distribution transformers and 1,967 km of conductors ready for deployment.
Its emergency resources include 62 restoration teams, 17 generator sets, 33 wireless communication sets, 47 emergency vehicles, 13 control rooms and 188 power saws.
Vijayanand directed field officials to continuously monitor weather bulletins, wind speeds and feeder conditions, identify vulnerable locations and position personnel and equipment in advance to facilitate a swift emergency response and speedy restoration of power.
He instructed the utilities to intensify public awareness campaigns on electrical safety, particularly during heavy rainfall and flooding, and maintain full operational readiness until the cyclone threat subsided and normal conditions were restored.
A cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said.
A low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on October 24. It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
(PTI News)
