Minister Says Cyclone Arnab Caused ₹500 Crore Power Sector Damage

The government has intensified emergency repairs to damaged power infrastructure after Cyclone Arnab, with special focus on Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Narsapur, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said.

Ravi Kumar inspected cyclone-hit areas in Bhimavaram on Thursday. He said the cyclone caused an estimated ₹500 crore damage to the power sector.

Assessment and restoration work

The Minister said a comprehensive assessment would provide a clearer picture of the true extent of the damage. The assessment will add to the information available from the ongoing inspection and repair operations.

Around 1,700 personnel were engaged in restoration work, Ravi Kumar said. An additional 500 employees were being mobilised from the three DISCOMs. Another 500 electricity employees from Telangana had joined the operations.

The deployment covers the areas identified as having borne the brunt of the extreme weather event, including Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Narsapur.

Priority repairs

Ravi Kumar said the government was ensuring that there was no shortage of manpower, funds or equipment for the restoration efforts. Officials were directed to replace damaged electricity poles, repair snapped conductors and restore damaged transformers on a priority basis.

The government’s immediate response is therefore centred on repairing the damaged infrastructure while officials work towards a more comprehensive assessment of the cyclone’s impact on the power sector.

Source: The Hindu