VISAKHAPATNAM: Power supply was hit in many coastal areas of the state due to the impact of cyclone Gulab. With hundreds of electric poles uprooted, and various feeders lines suffering major damage, many areas are still in darkness more than 20 hours after the passing of the cyclone.
Preliminary estimates have put the cost of damages at over Rs 65 crore, with Srikakulam district suffering the maximum damage.
Officials of Eastern Power Distribution Co Ltd said 186 teams have been deployed — 70 in Srikakulam, 44 in Vizianagaram, and 72 in Visakhapatnam — for restoration works.
Around 70% of restoration works were completed by Monday evening. Of the 433 33/11 KV substations in north Andhra districts, 285 were affected by the cyclone of which 212 had been repaired by Monday evening.
Around 222 out of 286 33KV feeders were affected in the three districts, out of which 157 feeders have been repaired. Around 10km of 33KV lines and 94 poles have been damaged.
A senior EPDCL official said around 1,213 11KV feeders were damaged out of which 829 have been repaired within 12 hours, including around 673 in Visakhapatnam district. Around 598 11KV poles were damaged and 221 have been repaired, while 264 out of 899 LT poles damaged poles have been repaired, he said.
Of the 67 affected mandals in the three districts, power has been restored in about 40 mandals, while restoration works have been completed in nearly 440 villages out of the 2,023 affected villages in north Andhra districts.
Gulab revived the scary memories of cyclone Hudhud that devastated the port city on October 11, 2014. “Cyclone Hudhud hit the city during day time, whereas Gulab hit us in the night.
Power is yet to be restored in our area though it’s nearly 20 hours since the cyclone passed,” N Ramya, a techie staying in PM Palem, said.
Those living in the hill slope areas passed the night with fear as boulders fell at various places across the city. “Due to power disruption for hours together, we faced water problems. There is also disruption in milk supply while most vegetable shops and tiffin centres are closed. For people like us who depend on eateries to feed our hunger, it’s a big problem,” said Rema Roy, who works in a construction firm.
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