Telangana Sends 2,077 Power Staff to Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab Restoration Continues

Electricity personnel from Telangana have joined restoration efforts in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh after Cyclone Arnab disrupted power supply across large parts of the State, in a show of cooperation between the two Telugu States that were part of united Andhra Pradesh until 2014.

Responding to a request for assistance, Telangana's two power distribution companies — TG-NPDCL and TG-SPDCL — have deployed 2,077 personnel in 192 teams to cyclone-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh.

According to official figures, 942 personnel from TG-NPDCL have been mobilised in 106 teams, while TG-SPDCL has deployed 1,135 personnel in 86 teams. The teams are working alongside staff of the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) to repair damaged electrical infrastructure and restore supply to affected villages and consumers.

The assistance comes against the backdrop of the two States' shared history. Despite the bifurcation in 2014, people-to-people ties, cultural connections and a common Telugu identity continue to link the two States, and Telangana's response to the crisis has been described by officials on both sides as a continuation of that spirit of mutual support.

T. Durga Prasad, a Telangana electricity official currently deployed in West Godavari district, said the assignment brought back memories of his earlier service. "I feel like working in united Andhra Pradesh. I cherish my memories with my old colleagues and staff," he told The Hindu.

APEPDCL, for its part, has mobilised 744 special restoration teams comprising 8,625 personnel to expedite repairs across its jurisdiction. The combined deployment is aimed at shortening the time needed to bring supply back to villages where poles, transformers and lines were damaged by the cyclone.

Power supply has so far been restored in seven districts — Visakhapatnam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, East Godavari, Kakinada and Eluru. Restoration work is continuing in other affected areas.

Cyclone Arnab had disrupted power supply in 5,727 villages. Of these, electricity has been restored in 5,277 villages, while work is under way in the remaining 450 villages.

Officials said the priority in the remaining villages is to restore supply to drinking water pumping stations, hospitals and other essential services before completing household connections. Teams are also clearing fallen trees and removing damaged conductors so that the rebuilt lines can be energised safely.

The assistance from Telangana is among the larger inter-State deployments of power personnel in recent years in the region. Distribution companies in both States have in the past shared manpower and equipment during cyclones and floods, and the arrangement is governed by requests routed through the State governments.

Restoration work in coastal districts is expected to continue over the coming days, with officials monitoring weather conditions. The Andhra Pradesh government has not announced a final estimate of the damage to the power network.