Power utilities put on high alert as cyclone threat looms over AP

Vijayawada: With another cyclone threat looming over Andhra Pradesh, Energy Department Special Chief Secretary K Vijayanand has directed power utilities to take all precautionary measures to protect electricity infrastructure and ensure speedy restoration of power supply in case of disruptions.

He reviewed the prevailing weather conditions and preparedness of power sector through a teleconference on Sunday with APTRANSCO Joint Managing Director G Surya Sai Praveen Chand, DISCOM CMDs Prudhvi Tej Immadi, Loteti Siva Sankar and P Pulla Reddy, APTRANSCO Director (Grid) AVK Bhaskar and other senior officials.

During review, officials informed him that the depression over Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a deep depression and subsequently develop into a cyclonic storm. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the system could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal by November 2 and cross the coast near Bapatla on November 3 morning.

Moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated instances of very heavy rainfall, was expected in south and central coastal districts on November 2. Strong winds and heavy rainfall could damage electricity infrastructure, particularly power poles, and disrupt supply in vulnerable areas.

Vijayanand instructed the utilities to complete advance preparations to minimise damage and undertake restoration works immediately wherever power supply was interrupted. He stressed the need to maintain adequate stocks of essential materials, including electricity poles, conductors and transformers, and strategically deploy sufficient manpower, vehicles and machinery in vulnerable locations.

He also directed officials to identify cyclone-prone areas in advance and coordinate with district administrations to implement precautionary, safety and relief measures.

Emphasising the need for close coordination among APTRANSCO, DISCOMs and State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), he ordered round-the-clock monitoring of power supply situation. He said safety of field personnel should be given highest priority and all prescribed safety precautions must be followed during restoration works in adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, DISCOM CMDs briefed him on the progress of restoration works relating to electricity poles and power networks damaged by the recent Cyclone Arnab. Vijayanand directed them to expedite pending restoration works while simultaneously completing preparations to meet the fresh cyclone threat.

Reiterating that public safety and uninterrupted electricity supply were the foremost priorities, Special CS K Vijayanand called upon all power utilities to work in close coordination and ensure that any disruption was addressed promptly to minimise inconvenience to consumers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dasari Srinivasa Rao

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Dasari Srinivasa Rao is a Staff Reporter with The Hans India, covering NTR and Krishna districts, with a primary focus on Vijayawada. He has 32 years of experience in journalism. His reporting spans a wide range of beats, including city and rural development, politics, irrigation, education, crime, and human-interest stories.

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