Andhra Pradesh power utilities have restored electricity to nearly 29 lakh consumers across cyclone-affected coastal districts, while teams continue work in areas where flooding and fallen infrastructure are delaying reconnection, the state Energy Department said.
Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand reviewed restoration operations at the Andhra Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre and said electricity supply had been restored to households, farmers and businesses following Cyclone Murasu. The cyclone made landfall near Kothapatnam on November 3 and damaged power infrastructure in Bapatla, Prakasam, Palnadu, Guntur, NTR and Krishna districts.
“Electricity supply has been restored to nearly 29 lakh consumers in cyclone-hit areas, and restoration work is continuing across the affected coastal districts,” Vijayanand said in an official release issued late on Thursday.
The damage included fallen electricity poles, snapped lines and disruptions at transmission and distribution facilities. Some locations were still facing delays because poles had fallen into ponds and waterlogging was preventing field personnel from erecting replacement structures. Officials were making alternative arrangements to provide temporary electricity supply in those areas, according to the release.
A 220-kV terminal tower collapsed in Bapatla, bringing down transmission lines across the 132-kV Parchuru-Chirala corridor. Technical teams cleared the obstruction despite strong flood currents and restored power supply on the affected network.
Floodwaters also breached the compound wall of the 400/220/132-kV Guddigudem substation. Engineers used heavy motor pumps to drain the water before carrying out technical inspections. The 400-kV lines, 220-kV bus and primary ICTs at the substation were subsequently restored, the Energy Department said.
In the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited zone, 1,001 specialised teams comprising 11,537 personnel worked across all 552 affected substations and 5,753 villages. Their operations restored electricity to nearly 29 lakh consumers, covering a wide network of domestic, agricultural and commercial connections.
More than 230 specialised teams were deployed in the APCPDCL zone in heavily flood-affected mandals, including Naguluppala Padu and Kothapatnam. These teams restored electricity to more than three lakh domestic and commercial connections, the release said.
The restoration effort highlights the operational difficulty of repairing electricity networks during a cyclone recovery. Power utilities must work around unstable ground, submerged equipment, damaged poles and live electrical infrastructure, while maintaining safety for both field personnel and residents. The state Energy Department said teams were continuing work across the affected coastal districts.
Vijayanand urged residents to keep away from fallen electricity poles, snapped wires and electrical equipment in waterlogged areas. Restoration operations will continue in locations where flooding and damaged infrastructure have prevented immediate reconnection.
