Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar lauds Power staff for tireless work during cyclone Montha

Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has praised the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Department staff for their commitment and courage in restoring power supply disrupted by Cyclone Montha, which struck the coastal districts earlier this week.

In a message issued through the Information and Public Relations Department, the Minister commended employees for acting “like soldiers” during the cyclone crisis. He said that despite severe conditions, field staff worked continuously under the direction of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, bringing normalcy to affected areas within a short period.

The Minister noted that 100 percent power supply was restored within 24 hours of the cyclone’s landfall. “Power lines were snapped, poles were uprooted, and substations were submerged under water. Yet, our staff overcame these obstacles with courage, determination, and dedication,” his message stated.

According to official data from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), nearly 4.8 lakh connections across Krishna, Guntur, Konaseema, and East Godavari districts were affected after the cyclone made landfall near Bapatla on October 27–28. Wind speeds of 90–110 km per hour and heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to power infrastructure.

Reports from the Eastern Power Distribution Company (APEPDCL) and Southern Power Distribution Company (APSPDCL) indicated that more than 3,000 engineers and linemen were mobilised for emergency restoration. Urban areas were reconnected within 36 hours, while in rural and low-lying regions, restoration took slightly longer due to waterlogging and accessibility issues.

Visuals released by district administrations and official sources showed linemen working in rain and knee-deep water to repair fallen poles and transformers. Similar reports from Krishna and Konaseema districts confirmed that hundreds of transformers were restored and thousands of poles reinstalled during the operation.

The Minister said that the tireless efforts of electricity employees had reflected the spirit of true public service. “Because of your hard work, people were able to return to normal life quickly, even after severe disruptions,” he noted, extending congratulations to every employee involved in the mission.

He also conveyed heartfelt thanks to the Chief Secretary, CMDs, Directors, and senior officials for their cooperation and leadership during the crisis.

Cyclone Montha, categorised as a severe cyclonic storm by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), caused damage to infrastructure, crops, and properties across multiple coastal districts. The overall losses to the power sector are still being assessed by the state government.