Amaravati, Oct 27 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Tuesday directed power utilities to remain on high alert and prioritise public safety amid Cyclone Arnab threat, with around 6,000 personnel mobilised to minimise loss of life and damage to property.
The Minister reviewed the department’s preparedness through a video conference with senior officials, directors and representatives of the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL), a release said.
Kumar said leave arrangements had been revised in areas outside the cyclone’s immediate impact to ensure the availability of adequate manpower.
He directed the chairpersons and managing directors of power distribution companies to undertake field visits and closely monitor the situation.
Directors were already supervising operations in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, he added.
Field teams had been instructed to attend to snapped power lines, fallen poles, damaged conductors and faults at affected 132-kV substations.
The department has strengthened its 1912 call centre to handle up to 30,000 calls simultaneously, enabling consumers to report power interruptions, snapped electrical wires, fallen poles and other electricity-related emergencies.
The Energy Department has also established a dedicated communication group to facilitate real-time coordination with district collectors, collectorate personnel, Revenue Department officials and local village and ward secretariat staff in cyclone-affected districts.
Under the arrangement, information relating to electrical hazards and power supply disruptions received by participating departments and field-level officials will be shared promptly to ensure that the concerned teams initiate remedial action without delay.
The Minister urged people to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching or touching snapped electrical wires, conductors or fallen electrical equipment. PTI MS ADB
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