Cyclone Arnab power infrastructure damage in Andhra Pradesh is estimated at Rs 500 crore, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said on Thursday. The very severe cyclonic storm uprooted thousands of electricity poles and disrupted supply across nearly 400 villages.
West Godavari district was among the worst-affected regions, with around 3,700 power poles uprooted, the minister said. He added that a detailed assessment would establish the full extent of the damage.
“The cyclone has caused preliminary losses estimated at approximately Rs 500 crore to the state’s electricity infrastructure. A comprehensive assessment would provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage,” Kumar said in a press release.
3,700 power poles uprooted in West Godavari
The cyclone caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure in West Godavari, particularly around Narsapur and nearby villages. The areas are close to the location where the storm crossed the coast.
Power supply was disrupted in nearly 400 villages. Several villages remained without electricity, while cellular communication services were also affected in multiple locations.
The minister inspected cyclone-hit areas in Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Narsapur. He reviewed damage to electricity infrastructure, roads and agricultural fields before meeting officials at the West Godavari district collectorate.
2,700 personnel deployed for power restoration
Around 1,700 electricity personnel were engaged in restoration work, while another 500 employees were being mobilised from Andhra Pradesh’s three power distribution companies.
An additional 500 electricity personnel from Telangana also joined the restoration operations, taking the reported deployment to around 2,700 workers.
Kumar said the government was ensuring adequate manpower, funds and equipment for the restoration effort. Officials have been directed to replace damaged poles, repair snapped conductors and restore transformers on priority.
Special teams are deploying additional poles, transformers and other essential materials in affected locations. The minister also instructed officials to move teams to other areas immediately after completing restoration work at one location.
Andhra Pradesh targets power restoration within 24 hours
The state government is aiming to restore electricity supply in cyclone-affected areas within 24 hours. Emergency repair operations have been intensified across the affected districts.
The minister said all necessary measures were being taken to restore essential services and provide relief to affected families.
The preliminary damage estimate stands at Rs 500 crore. A comprehensive assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the cyclone’s impact on the state’s electricity network.
