AP power utilities take steps to deal with cyclone impact

Power utilities of Andhra Pradesh are fully geared up to face any eventuality arising out of cyclone 'Hudhud' which is on course to hit the Visakhapatnam coast by tomorrow afternoon.
Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, along with other senior officials of his department reviewed the measures taken by the utilities with regard to power supply and restoration works, an official release said here today.
The cyclone is expected to be accompanied by high speed wind and very heavy rain.
"Keeping in view the precautionary instructions received from Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (SRLDC), Bangalore, power utilities are on alert.
"They are ready to meet the emergency works with regard to power supply and restoration works, particularly in the districts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, West and East Godavari, under the purview of Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd," the release said.

The Centralised Breakdown (CBD) teams are ready with necessary tools to take up the restoration works immediately. The regular construction works have been stopped temporarily and entire manpower has been diverted on proposed restoration works, it said.

Necessary material such as transformers, poles, conductor, insulators and tower parts spares have been kept ready so that these can be shifted to the affected areas on short notice.
"Members of general public have been asked not to go near electrical installations to avoid accidents and requested to inform the nearest field officials in case of any electrical mishaps," the release said.
Diesel generator sets have been kept ready in all the sub-stations along the coastal lines, it added.