Work to restore power supply on in cyclone-hit parts of AP

Andhra Pradesh power utilities are expecting to partially restore electricity supply in the cyclone-hit Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of the state by tonight.
"All efforts are being made to provide power supply by midnight today in parts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam," an Energy department official said today.
"We are expecting by midnight power supply be restored to some parts in these three districts," he said.
Power supply was disrupted due to the devastation caused by cyclonic storm Hudhud in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts on Andhra's coastline on Sunday last.
This afternoon, APTransco was able to extend 132 KV power in Gaujwaka and Vizag SEZ areas of Visakhapatnam city, the official said adding that restoration/relief operations are in full swing in the cyclone-affected areas.

State Energy Secretary Ajay Jain yesterday said the cyclone, gale and wind gushing at around 200 kmph caused severe faults, which in turn damaged the sub-station equipment, poles, transformers apart from the transmission and distribution lines in the affected areas on the state coastline.

Two 400 KV sub-stations, 10 number of 220 KV sub-stations, 25 number of 132 KV sub-stations were severely hit by the cyclone, besides around 20,000 poles were either broken or damaged.
Power supply to Simhadri 2,000 MW power plant at Visakhpatnam was also restored from Vemagiri 400 KV sub- station.
Around 2,000 personnel consisting of engineers and workers are deployed by APSPDCL to cyclone-hit areas of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam which come under the jurisdiction of APEPDCL.

"Cyclone has affected power supply in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram badly and it was partially affected in Srikakulam district. All engineers, employees, are putting all-out efforts without availing any leave/holiday during this period of natural calamity," Jain had said.