Cyclone-hit villages in Prakasam district remain without electricity

Since Cyclone Murasu hit the coastline of Andhra Pradesh, several villages in Nagulappalapadu, Kanigiri, Kothapatnam, Singarayakonda, and Addanki mandals of Prakasam district have been facing continuous power outages.

Though the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) staff are undertaking restoration works on war-footing basis, the residents in these coastal villages are spending their nights by using oil lamps and candles.

According to source, the villagers are going to the nearest urban centre to charge their mobile phones at a cost of ₹10 per charge. They are facing difficulties in meeting their daily needs, including access to drinking water and arranging fuel for generators.

For more than a week, the Electricity department personnel have been restoring the electric poles and overhead wires that were damaged by the cyclone. However, the power supply has not yet been restored, leaving many villages in darkness

Speaking to The Hindu, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said, “Initially, we have estimated an overall expenditure of ₹500 crore to repair the electric infrastructure damaged by the cyclone. But, the budget has now crossed ₹700 crore to restore 35,000 poles across the State.”

Speaking about the restoration works in the villages of Prakasam district, he said, the APCPDCL officials are taking swift action to resolve the issues. “The domestic power supply will be rectified in a day, and it will take three days to restore agricultural and aquaculture connections”.

APCPDCL (Projects & HRD) Director T.V.S.N. Murthy supervised the repair works on the 11 kV Ammanabrolu–Chavatapalem feeder—which had experienced a power interruption—directly at the site within the Naguluppalapadu section.

Additionally, he inspected the breakdown repair works being carried out on the 11 kV Chadalavada feeder in the same section. He instructed the officials to expedite power restoration efforts and ensure that staff work in coordination to restore electricity supply as quickly as possible.