Andhra Pradesh mobilises 6,000 power personnel and upgrades the 1912 helpline to handle 30,000 simultaneous calls as Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar reviews Cyclone Arnab preparedness.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh has stepped up its preparedness to deal with Cyclone Arnab, mobilising around 6,000 experienced personnel and strengthening emergency response systems to minimise loss of life and damage to property.
Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of the Energy Department through a video conference with senior officials from his camp office in Amaravati. He directed power utilities to remain on high alert, implement precautionary measures without delay and prioritise public safety.
“Every life is precious. Officials must anticipate potential risks, prevent electrical accidents and ensure a swift response to disruptions caused by the cyclone,” the Minister said, stressing the need for coordinated action and continuous monitoring in vulnerable areas.
Senior officials, directors and representatives of the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL) participated in the review.
The Minister said approximately 6,000 experienced officers and field personnel had been mobilised to handle emergency operations and expedite power restoration in areas affected by the cyclone.
Leave arrangements had been revised in areas outside the cyclone’s immediate impact to ensure adequate manpower availability. Personnel were being deployed to vulnerable locations based on operational requirements.
Chairpersons and managing directors of power distribution companies had been directed to undertake field visits and monitor the situation closely. Directors were supervising operations in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada and Konaseema districts.
The department was implementing precautionary measures in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with emphasis on public safety, operational readiness and support for essential services.
Field teams had been instructed to respond promptly to snapped power lines, fallen poles, damaged conductors and faults at affected 132-kV substations. Patrol teams were also monitoring vulnerable stretches and coordinating restoration operations wherever necessary.
The Energy Department has strengthened its 1912 call centre to handle up to 30,000 calls simultaneously, enabling consumers to report power interruptions and electricity-related emergencies.
The helpline can be used to report snapped electrical wires, fallen poles and other hazards. The enhanced capacity is intended to improve complaint handling, ensure that information reaches field teams promptly and reduce delays in emergency response.
The Minister said essential materials required for electrical repairs had been stocked in advance at divisional offices and mandal headquarters. The advance positioning of equipment was intended to help field teams begin restoration work quickly without delays in procuring supplies.
The department has established a dedicated communication group to facilitate real-time coordination with district collectors, collectorate personnel, Revenue Department officials and village and ward secretariat staff in cyclone-affected districts.
Information on electrical hazards and power disruptions reported by participating departments or field-level personnel is to be shared promptly through the group, enabling the concerned teams to initiate remedial measures at the earliest.
The Minister instructed senior officials and power utility directors to maintain continuous communication with district administrations and other government agencies, noting that effective coordination would be essential to managing emergencies and restoring vital services.
Issuing a safety advisory, Mr. Ravi Kumar warned people against approaching or touching snapped electrical wires, conductors or fallen electrical equipment.
Such hazards, particularly on waterlogged roads and public thoroughfares, could cause fatal accidents, he cautioned. Members of the public were urged to report incidents immediately to electricity department personnel or the 1912 helpline and allow authorised teams to handle the situation.
The Minister said the department had put in place preventive measures, emergency manpower, repair materials and communication systems to respond to the cyclone. He urged people to remain vigilant, follow official safety advisories and cooperate with authorities to minimise casualties and property damage.
