Rain Damages Power Infrastructure Worth Rs. 25.13 mn
Preparations for the weather system began on September 22, with field staff starting restoration work soon after the cyclone made landfall. Additional personnel, vehicles, cranes, pole-drilling machines, electric poles and distribution transformers were positioned in advance to support repair operations.
By 5 pm on Thursday, power had been restored at 122 of the 127 affected 33/11 kV substations and 99 of the 111 damaged 33 kV feeders. Restoration was also completed for 481 of the 536 affected 11 kV feeders, 218 of the 471 damaged 11 kV poles, 218 of the 461 damaged low-tension (LT) poles and 119 of the 195 damaged distribution transformers.
The rains affected 1,468 villages, of which 1,238 had regained power. Of the 887,757 disrupted electricity connections, 830,679 were restored, including 789,212 of the 837,559 affected non-agricultural connections and 41,467 of the 50,198 affected agricultural connections.
Srikakulam recorded the most extensive damage, with 96 substations, 55 33 kV feeders, 409 11 kV feeders, 115 11 kV poles, 149 LT poles and 27 distribution transformers affected. Power supply was disrupted in 962 villages, and APEPDCL deployed 745 personnel, 52 vehicles, 22 pole-drilling machines, 35 cranes, 400 electric poles and 246 transformers for restoration.
In Vizianagaram, 29 substations, 28 33 kV feeders, 30 11 kV feeders, 47 11 kV poles, 52 LT poles and 31 distribution transformers were damaged. Power was restored in 297 of the 338 affected villages. Restoration was delayed in some areas by stagnant water around electrical infrastructure and agricultural fields, with remaining work scheduled after safety conditions improve. Senior officials monitored operations from the affected districts, while the corporate control room reviewed progress and directed additional resources to pending areas.