CESC says staff, mobile vans on standby for cyclone 'Fani'

Power utility CESC Ltd on Friday said it has deployed 200 mobile vans around the city to tackle any likely disruption caused by cyclonic storm 'Fani', which is headed to West Bengal from neighbouring Odisha.

A company spokesman said the mobile vans are fitted with dedicated radio communication sets, and are capable of promptly springing into action in the event of power supply failure.

Focus will also be on electricity supply to drainage pumping stations to reduce water logging in and around the metropolis, he said.

"Teams comprising engineers, workmen and contractors are on stanby to respond to consumer requirements across 567 sq km of licensed area," the CESC spokesman said.

Company representatives will be present at the Kolkata Police Control Room and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) control rooms, he added.

Cyclone 'Fani' rolled through Odisha earlier Friday, packing rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, leaving at least three people dead, blowing away thatched houses, and swamping towns and villages.