Karnataka has announced that it will send 500 skilled powermen and restoration equipment to Andhra Pradesh to help repair electricity infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab, as the neighbouring state also assesses the impact of approaching Cyclone Murasu.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he had spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and assured him of Karnataka’s full support. The assistance will be coordinated by Karnataka’s Energy Department, with Energy Minister KJ George monitoring the operation, according to Shivakumar.
“With over 15,000 electricity poles uprooted by Cyclone Arnab, the restoration of power infrastructure is critical, and Andhra Pradesh has sought Karnataka’s assistance in this effort,” Shivakumar said in a post on X.
The deployment will include skilled personnel and the equipment required to undertake restoration works at affected sites. The teams will work in coordination with Andhra Pradesh authorities, with the stated objective of expediting repairs and restoring electricity supply in cyclone-affected areas.
The scale of the reported damage makes the response a significant inter-state infrastructure operation. Uprooted electricity poles can disrupt distribution networks across multiple locations, leaving households and public facilities without supply and requiring coordinated work involving field crews, transport, equipment and local authorities. The statement did not specify the districts where Karnataka’s teams would be deployed or provide a restoration timeline.
The assistance comes as authorities continue to monitor Cyclone Murasu and its possible impact. Shivakumar said Karnataka would assess the situation over the next two days while extending all possible support to Andhra Pradesh. The statement did not provide details of any additional deployments or identify the precise areas that could be affected by the approaching cyclone.
Power restoration after extreme weather depends on access to damaged sites, the availability of replacement equipment and coordination between electricity authorities. In this case, Karnataka’s teams are expected to work alongside Andhra Pradesh officials rather than operate independently, according to the chief minister’s statement.
The announcement also illustrates how electricity distribution systems in one state can become part of a wider regional emergency response when severe weather damages essential infrastructure. For affected residents, the immediate public-service priority remains the repair of distribution assets and the return of reliable electricity supply.
The Karnataka Energy Department will coordinate the deployment, while the state government continues to assess the impact of Cyclone Murasu and the requirements communicated by Andhra Pradesh authorities.
