Chief Secretary directs power utilities to stay on high alert for Cyclone Montha

Chief Secretary and Special CS (Energy) K. Vijayanand has instructed the power utilities to remain on high alert in view of the likely impact of Cyclone Montha and to ensure an effective response to any emergency.

Addressing senior officials of AP Genco, AP Transco, and DISCOMs through a teleconference from the Secretariat on Monday, Mr. Vijayanand said it was time to keep men and material ready for immediate restoration of power supply in affected areas.

He directed officials to ensure that substations, transmission lines, and control centres were manned with adequate staff and that there was seamless coordination between AP Transco and the DISCOMs to facilitate prompt rectification of transmission or feeder line damages.

The Chief Secretary also instructed power utilities to maintain close communication with the State Emergency Operations Centre and District Collectors to coordinate restoration activities. Responding to the Chief Secretary, AP Genco Managing Director S. Nagalakshmi said elaborate arrangements had been made at NTTPS, RTPP, and SDSTPS to deal with the possible fallout of Cyclone Montha.

All emergency systems — including diesel generators, fire hydrants, sump pumps, and lighting equipment — have been checked and kept in working condition. Adequate coal and fuel stocks were available to meet generation requirements for the next several days, she said.

Round-the-clock monitoring and patrolling teams, each with engineers on shift duty, were operating at all stations. Earthmovers, tractors, dewatering pumps, sandbags, and other safety gear have been arranged to handle heavy rainfall and flooding, Ms. Nagalakshmi added.

AP Transco Joint Managing Director G. Surya Sai Praveenchand said resources had been mobilised across eight districts likely to be affected in the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada zones, covering coastal stretches.

Line gangs, erection teams, tree-cutting squads, and fault-locating units have been strategically deployed at critical substations to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Emergency restoration equipment — including ERS towers, 7.5 HP dewatering diesel pumps, and vehicles with spare materials — have been positioned at key locations, he said.

DISCOM CMDs I. Prudhvi Tej (EPDCL), L. Siva Sankar (SPDCL), and P. Pulla Reddy (CPDCL) explained the measures being taken to minimise the cyclone’s impact and restore power in the event of disruptions.