Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has said power supply will be restored in all cyclone-hit areas by Saturday evening, as more than 7,500 electricity poles remain uprooted and thousands of personnel work to repair the damaged network.
Ravi Kumar made the assurance during a visit to cyclone-affected villages in the Addanki and Santhanuthalapadu constituencies, where he inspected damaged power lines, transformers, conductors and poles. He also reviewed damage to houses, cattle sheds, crops and other assets.
Around 70 per cent of the disrupted electricity supply has already been restored, according to the minister. Power has been brought back in Ongole, Chilakaluripet, Narasaraopet and Addanki towns, while restoration work is continuing in the remaining affected areas.
Domestic connections are being prioritised, followed by agricultural and aquaculture services, Ravi Kumar said. The sequencing is significant for villages where electricity is required not only for household use but also for irrigation, farm operations and water-based livelihoods.
More than 3,000 personnel from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are assisting Andhra Pradesh with the restoration effort. The minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had spoken to the chief ministers of the three states to arrange additional manpower. Ravi Kumar also interacted with repair teams at Alavalapadu and Nidamanuru and directed state officials to provide workers with food and accommodation.
The minister estimated that cyclones Arnab and Murasu had caused losses of more than ₹500 crore to the Power department. Cyclone Murasu alone uprooted over 7,500 electricity poles, adding to the scale of the restoration challenge across the affected districts.
The damage extends beyond electricity infrastructure. Ravi Kumar inspected mango orchards and nurseries and said maize, banana, papaya, amla, mango and tobacco crops had suffered losses. Tobacco barns were also damaged in Prakasam district. He directed agriculture officials to carry out field inspections and complete crop-loss assessments transparently, with instructions that no affected farmer should be left out.
A preliminary damage report has been submitted to the Chief Minister, Ravi Kumar said. A comprehensive report covering crops, property, electricity infrastructure and other sectors is expected to be submitted within two days. The minister also assured assistance to affected farmers and families as the state continues restoration and damage assessment work.
