Odisha has restored electricity supply to more than 97% of consumers affected by the cyclone, while telecom connectivity has returned to 20 blocks in Ganjam district, according to state officials. Restoration work is continuing in southern Odisha, where damaged poles, lines, feeders and substations disrupted essential services after the cyclone made landfall on October 28.
The state’s power distribution utilities said electricity had been restored to 39.74 lakh of the 40.91 lakh consumers affected across 17 districts within two days of the cyclone’s landfall. Power supply is now available in 23 of Odisha’s 30 districts, officials said.
Southern districts remain the main focus of the response. Ganjam and Gajapati were among the worst-affected areas, with extensive damage reported to electricity and communication infrastructure following winds of up to 150kmph and rainfall exceeding 500mm in parts of southern Odisha.
The electronics and information technology department said telecom connectivity had been restored in 20 blocks of Ganjam by 5 pm on Saturday. The restoration drive was reviewed by Electronics and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Dev.
BSNL and other telecom service providers have been directed to complete restoration across all affected locations by Sunday evening. “The department is coordinating with all service providers to ensure the earliest resumption of uninterrupted telecom services,” an official statement said.
The restoration operation has involved more than 29,000 personnel across the state. Teams have been clearing debris, replacing damaged poles and lines, and restoring electricity feeders and substations. The scale of the deployment reflects the dependence of affected communities on functioning power and communications networks for access to emergency services, information and basic public infrastructure after a severe weather event.
Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited said it had restored electricity supply to more than 16.7 lakh consumers, representing over 96% of those affected across eight districts. The company said work was continuing to reconnect the remaining consumers.
The latest figures indicate that electricity restoration has progressed faster than telecom recovery in at least parts of the cyclone-affected region. While power utilities have reported restoration for nearly all affected consumers, the state’s telecom agencies are still working to reconnect all affected locations, particularly in Ganjam. Officials have set Sunday evening as the target for completing the remaining telecom restoration.
