CS Orders Power Utilities Gear Up as IMD Issues Red Alert for Andhra Pradesh

 Vijayawada: With India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert about heavy rains in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, and West Godavari districts and other parts of Andhra Pradesh, state chief secretary (CS) K. Vijayanand has directed power utilities within AP to remain on high alert and take every required precaution to ensure public safety and make available uninterrupted power supply within the state.

Holding a review meeting with senior officials of the power utilities, Vijayanand asked them to be ready with arrangements for rapid restoration of power supply in areas affected by the heavy rains. He pointed out that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar want power utilities to respond quickly in case of damage to electrical infrastructure caused by heavy rains and strong winds, while ensuring that public safety measures are in place.

Those who attended the review meeting included JMD (HRD) APTRANSCO Kirthi Chekuri, CMDs of DISCOMs I. Prudhvi Tej, P. Pulla Reddy and K. Santosha Rao, APTRANSCO director (Grid) A. K. V. Bhaskar, and APTRANSCO director (Technical) J. V. Rao.

The AP chief secretary instructed DISCOMs to stock sufficient materials and arrange transport facilities for districts likely to be affected. He ordered them to position small generators and dewatering pumps at vulnerable points for emergency use. He emphasised that feeders should be properly switched off where required during severe weather conditions to prevent electrocution-related accidents.

Vijayanand ordered that round-the-clock control rooms be set up and nodal officers appointed for effective coordination. He wanted earthmovers, cranes and power saws kept ready for restoration works, while ensuring close coordination with local administration and disaster management authorities.