Cyclone Montha: 13.56 lakh power consumers affected in 11 districts, ₹10.47 cr. loss incurred by APEPDCL

Cyclone Montha, which made a landfall south of Kakinada near Narsapuram in West Godavari district on the night of October 28, caused widespread power outages affected of 13.56 lakh electricity service connections in 11 operational circles (districts) of Visakhapatnam-headquartered Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited (APEPDCL). As of Wednesday night, 96% of these connections were restored, said APEPDCL CMD I. Pridhvitej.

He said, “The company suffered a loss of ₹10.47 crore due to the cyclone. A total of 7,973 electricity personnel were organised into 523 teams and were engaged in restoration works, adding that Konaseema, Kakinada and West Godavari districts were the worst-affected districts.

The cyclone impacted 13 towns, 67 mandals, 1,234 villages, 255 33KV substations, 192 33KV feeders, 1226 LT electricity poles and 17,700 agricultural service connections.

Speaking to The Hindu from Konaseema, Mr. Pridhvitej, who was involved in restoration works in Konaseema said: “By Wednesday, we restored power to 13,02,948 service connections (96%) out of a total of 13,56,415 service connections. A total of 16,822 agricultural service connections were restored out of 17,700. We will complete the remaining works by Thursday. Our staff is engaged round-the-clock.”

Mr. Pridhvitej said that he had informed the Chief Minister, who reviewed the restoration works with his staff in Konaseema. and visited the Uppalaguptam, Inavolu and Amalapuram substations in Amalapuram division.

“With the availability of the necessary equipment like generators, pole drilling machines, power cables, poles and transformers to all the section offices in advance along with personnel, the restoration work is progressing at a fast pace,” said Mr. Pridhvitej, assuring that the teams are working together to complete the power restoration work by Thursday.