Power utilities fully geared up to face 'Hudhud'

Hyderabad, Oct 11 (INN): AP power utilities are fully geared up to face any eventuality with respect to the 'Hudhud cyclone' which is expected to cross the coastal areas of AP at anytime.

Keeping in view the precautionary instructions received from Southern Regional Load Dispatch Center (SRLDC), Bangalore, power utilities are alert and ready to meet the emergency works with regard to power supply & power restoration works particularly in the districts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, West & East Godavari, etc under the purview of Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd.

Energy Department Secretary Ajay Jain. who has reviewed the precautionary measures along with APGENCO MD, APTRANSCO CMD K. Vijayanand, said that all engineers, employees, O&M staff are putting all out efforts without availing any leave/holiday duly taking all the necessary steps.

Disclosing the above details, Ajay Jain said that Energy Department has prepared and submitted a report to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao with regard to the impact of expected cyclone on power systems such as generating stations, substations, transmission and distribution lines and possible load reduction.

Vijayanand said that suitable Engineers, who are well experienced in restoration works are identified and deployed to the Cyclone affected areas with the precautionary steps.

The Centralized Breakdown (CBD) Teams are kept ready with necessary tools to take up the restoration works immediately. The regular construction works are stopped temporarily for this purpose and entire manpower has been diverted on proposed restoration works on top priority.

The material such as transformers, poles, conductor, insulators, tower parts spares, etc. and other equipment necessary for restoration works are kept ready as spares in stores, so that those can be shifted to the affected areas on war-footing basis.

Diesel Generator sets are kept ready in all the 400kV Substations & 220kV Substations along the coastal lines. Telecommunication Wing of APTRANSCO arranged required communication facility from the affected substations to the control room, since cell phones are not working properly.

Walky Talky's are made operational and wireless sets are kept in service. Each 400kV Substation & 220kV Substation, etc are being manned continuously by Telecom Engineers for arranging effective communication during this critical period of Cyclone for restoring the power supply at the earliest.

All the general public have been cautioned not to go near the electrical installations to avoid accidents and requested to inform the nearest field officials in case of any electrical mishaps.