As efforts are continuing in full swing to restore power supply in the Hudhud-battered Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, the Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments have extended help by deploying men and material for rescue operations.
According to Andhra Pradesh Government’s Energy Secretary, Ajay Jain, who is monitoring the restoration efforts, the cyclone severely hit two 400 kv substations, 10 substations of 220 kv each and 25 substations of 132 kv each.
The gales and winds with around 200 km speed caused severe bus and earth faults which in turn damaged the substation equipment, poles, transformers and transmission and distribution lines.
Power supply to Simhadri restoredMeanwhile, start-up power supply to Simhadri 2000 MW power plant at Visakhapatnam was restored from Vemagiri 400 KV sub station. Efforts were also on to provide alternative supply from any of the following sources to Visakhapatnam—132 kv Tuni (Koruprolu, Parawada & Gajuwaka), 132 kv Pithapuram (Brandix-Gajuwaka) Parwada-220 kv Vizag Switching station (VSS), and Gajuwaka-220 kv Vizag switching station.
Mr. Jain said that cyclone has badly affected power supply in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and partially in Srikakulam district.
K. Vijayanand, CMD,APTransco, who rushed to Visakhapatnam, said that 2,000 engineers and work men were deployed in cyclone-affected areas of the three districts.
Telangana State Transmission Corporation Limited JMD, Kartikeya Misra informed Mr. Ajay Jain that material worth Rs.13 crore was despatched from the Erragadda Central Stores here to Visakhapatnam, Vizianagarm and Srikakulam districts for restoration of supply at the earliest.
Parakala Prabhakar, media advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government, said that with over five lakh people in relief and rehabilitation centres, 50 tonnes material from Vijayawada and another 50 tonnes from Rajahmundry have been airlifted to provide food for people in those camps. Each affected family would also receive 25 kg of rice, 1 kg sugar and five litres of kerosene. Fishermen and weavers would be given five litres of kerosene, 50 kg rice and 1 kg sugar. He said that government was trying to restore all telecom systems by Monday night.
Donations are welcomeMr. Prabhakar said people who wish to donate for cyclone relief could send to account name: AP CM Relief Fund, SBI account-33913634404, IFSC Code-SBIN0002724, Branch Name, SBI Treasury Branch, Gowliguda, Hyderabad.
Cheques could be sent to deputy Secretary, Revenue Department, L-Block, AP Secretariat, Hyderabad.
