Cyclone Phethai: Electricity department restored power within 24 hours

Amaravati: Energy department restored all the damaged sub-stations, poles and others within 24 hours after Cyclone Phethai made the land fall in East Godavari district on Monday.

Minister for Energy Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao at a press conference here on Tuesday said that 80 33/11 KV sub-stations and 47 33 KV feeders were damaged due to the cyclone.

In all, 30 poles of 33 KV fell down and 22 KV lines spread over 1.86 km damaged. The cyclone also had its impact on 285 11 KV feeders, 285 11 KV poles, 11 KV lines at a length of 39.9 km, 362 LT poles and LT lines spread over a length of 77 km.

Power disruption was reported in425 villages in 18 mandals of five circles, he said. The Minister explained that the State government with the support of the staff of the electricity department was able to restore power within 24 hours after Phethai crossed the coast.

Claiming that this was a historical achievement in repairing all the affected sub-stations, restoring poles and lines, he congratulated the staff engaged in these works. He said that the government noticed the problems of the linemen and other field staff and will provide necessary equipment to them. The Minister informed that they will prepare a manual for the department based on the present experience.