AP Power Utilities on High Alert as Cyclone Arnab Approaches State

Reviewing preparedness through a teleconference with power distribution company (DISCOM) chairpersons and managing directors, directors and district-level officials on Sunday, the ministers directed officials to keep field staff available round the clock, mobilise emergency response teams, and coordinate with district administrations and other government departments to take immediate relief measures.
Ravi Kumar and Anitha ordered removal of hazardous hoardings. They have cautioned people against approaching fallen wires or damaged poles. People can contact the toll-free helpline 1912 for any emergencies.
Special chief secretary K. Vijayanand separately directed utilities to undertake emergency measures on a war footing to protect critical infrastructure and minimise power disruptions. He cancelled leaves for zonal chief engineers, superintending engineers and key technical personnel involved in disaster management, so that their expertise and experience are available to deal with any situation.
Officials have been asked to monitor weather bulletins, wind speeds, and feeder conditions. Emergency personnel and equipment are to be kept ready so that they could be shifted to vulnerable locations and areas of need once adverse weather sets in.
Power utilities have mobilised substantial resources to deal with emergencies. APTRANSCO has placed operational zones, transmission lines, and extra-high-tension substations on alert. Heavy-duty dewatering pumps have been stationed at flood-prone substations.
APEPDCL has established 30 divisional control rooms, which will function round-the-clock. It has readied 309 contractor teams comprising 4,056 personnel, besides cranes, generators, power saws, and pole-drilling machines. Its stocks include 1,180 km of conductors and more than 70,700 concrete electricity poles.
The distribution company has stocked 27,838 poles, 3,652 transformers, and 1,967 km of conductors for deployment in Nellore, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts. It has also readied 62 restoration teams, 47 emergency vehicles, and 13 control rooms.