Ministers review cyclone restoration works in Machilipatnam and Bapatla

Andhra Pradesh Ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Kolusu Parthasarathy, and Kollu Ravindra on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing relief and restoration operations in cyclone-affected areas of Krishna and Bapatla districts following the impact of Cyclone Montha.

Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Minister of Energy, Government of Andhra Pradesh, held a review meeting with officials in Machilipatnam to assess the progress of power restoration works. He was accompanied by Kollu Ravindra, Minister for Mines, Geology and Excise, during the inspection. The ministers instructed officials to intensify restoration efforts and ensure that electricity supply is restored across the state at the earliest.

Officials briefed the ministers that power lines and substations damaged by the cyclone were being repaired on a war footing. Around 25 substations in Krishna district have already been recharged, and field teams are conducting pole-to-pole inspections to ensure safety before resuming supply. Power supply was temporarily suspended in certain parts of Machilipatnam as a precautionary measure due to strong winds.

The Energy Department has been instructed to complete power restoration works statewide by Wednesday afternoon. “All efforts are being made to fully restore electricity and resume normalcy,” officials assured during the review meeting.

Later, Minister Kollu Ravindra visited Mekavaripalem in Machilipatnam, where a tree had fallen on a house due to heavy winds, causing property damage. According to a statement shared by the minister on his official social media handle, he met the affected family of Kollu Veerababu, enquired about their condition, and assured that necessary assistance would be provided. The minister also instructed local officials to extend all possible support to the family and expedite relief measures in the area.

Meanwhile, in Bapatla district, Kolusu Parthasarathy, Minister for Housing, Information and Public Relations, Government of Andhra Pradesh, along with Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar and local MLA Narendra Varma Raju, inspected crop losses in flood-affected areas. The team visited Pandurangapuram village in Bapatla mandal, where paddy, banana, and chilli fields were inundated following heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone.

Officials briefed the ministers on the extent of agricultural damage and ongoing relief efforts in low-lying areas. The ministers instructed district authorities to expedite damage assessments and provide immediate assistance to the affected farmers.

Cyclone Montha, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on Tuesday night, brought widespread rainfall and strong winds across several coastal districts. Restoration and rehabilitation works are being carried out in coordination with the State Disaster Management Department and local administrations.