In view of the severe cyclone Vardha hitting the coast between Nellore and Chennai resulting in heavy rains associated with a furious wind speed of around 140 KMPH, the Andhra Pradesh government has alerted the official machinery, especially Power sector to face any eventuality and to be able to restore the damaged power system i.e breakdown of lines due to falling of tree branches, flashover of insulators, snapping of conductors, swinging of lines, flooding in substations and so on within no time.
As per the clear-cut instructions of Chief Minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu, full proof arrangements have been made to restore power supply to the damaged areas within six hours, said Principal Secretary, Energy, I&I and CRDA, GoAP Ajay Jain.
Addressing power sector officials in APSPDCL which covers the cyclone affected Districts of Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa and Prakasam and APTRANSCO in a focused teleconference, Ajay Jain directed the engineers and staff in the four districts to remain vigilant and on high alert to tackle Vardha.
Ajay Jain also said that to avoid delay in commencing of the restoration works, the material is to be kept ready by loading on to the vehicles for quick transportation. Procure small generators to be sued for emergency situations for stand by purposes and make available the required number of de-watering pumps also for emergency purpose. We should avoid electrocution related casualties during the cyclone period by properly switching of the feeders, if necessary, during the critical duration of heavy gale and downpour, instructed Sri. Ajay Jain. He further directed to pool up more labour force from the nearby areas of Nellore District and kept ready at the 16 to 17 nos. Mandal level 33/11kV Substations along the coast of Nellore District for quick action.
APSPDCL Chairman & Managing Director H.Y. Dora apprised the Principal Secretary of required men, material such as poles, conductor, distribution transformers, other hardware and vehicles were kept ready to take up restoration works. Some 2000 poles are kept ready in each District of the cyclone affected areas. The material and vehicles have been pooled up and stationed at the necessary locations and all the engineers and staff working in Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam Circles were told to be on high alter until complete restoration of the damaged system takes place. In a addition to the District level control rooms a state level control room headed by the Advsier, Dept. of Energy has been established in the O/o Chief Engineer, APSPDCL Vijayawada to follow up and monitor the restoration works on hourly basis.
- Ranganatham, Adviser, Energy Dept, Vijayanand CMD/APTRANSCO & MD/APGENCO, Dinesh Parchuri JMD/Finance & HRD/APTRANSCO, Umapathi JMD/Vigilence & Security, CMD /APTRANSCO H.Y.Dora CMD/APSPDCL, Pulla Reddy Director/Operation/APSPDCL along with the officials of Nellore, Kadapa, Prakasam and Chittoor Districts have participated in the Teleconference. (NSS)