Work on to restore power in cyclone-hit Srikakulam

Electricity will be restored to all the villages in cyclone affected Srikakulam district of north coastal Andhra Wednesday, officials said.

The cyclone Phailin which crossed Odisha-Andhra coast Saturday night, disrupted power supply to 2,061 villages. The supply has since been restored to all villages barring 150, where the work is expected to be completed Wednesday.

Officials said 1,100 electricity employees drawn from neighbouring districts were busy in power restoration work.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who reviewed the relief work at a meeting here Tuesday, directed the officials to speed up the relief operations and also restore power to all affected areas.

The officials informed the chief minister that repair of damaged roads and clearing of blocks on the roads and other restoration works were completed.

The cyclone, which triggered heavy rains and strong winds, damaged crops over 7,745 hectares while crops on another 7,146 hectares were inundated.

Eight scientists from Horticulture University and three specialists from Coconut Board, Bangalore will study the damage to horticulture crops including coconut and prepare re-plantation plans.