‘No power’ appears to be the mother of all problems in the three districts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram in the aftermath of the severe cyclonic storm Hudhud.
It has been four days on the trot, it is a complete blackout except in the areas nearer to some sub-stations, and people fear the worst in the coming days. It is estimated that it would take at least four to five days to restore power, that too in phases.
People have been surviving on packaged drinking water, and the stock is fast running out. “None of the packaged water companies are operating, as there is no power and we have already run out of stock, including water sachets,” said Ramana, who runs a small department store in Seethammdhara in Visakhapatnam.
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The worst-hit are sick people, especially those who are critically ill and have to depend on technology-based assessment, apart from clinical treatment. “Surgeries are being postponed and UPS back-up for critical equipment has run dry. Some of the equipment that is calibrated online and work at controlled temperature is failing. Patients who live on regular dialysis are badly hit,” said Director of GITAM Medical College C.V. Rao.
It is learnt that many of the corporate hospitals have stopped admitting patients citing various reasons.
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The situation is so worse that people are even running short of cash as ATM counters are not functioning. A few that are being run on DG sets have a kilometre-long line.
It is learnt that many of the cell operators who have rectified their towers are unable to operate due to lack of power, as their battery back-up has fully exhausted. Even the relief operation is being hampered.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police S. Varada Raju said, “The major hurdle we are facing is lack of power. But we can’t do anything, as power sector is the worst hit and they are doing to best to restore power at the earliest.”