Karnataka sends 500 powermen and equipment to help Andhra Pradesh
The deployment follows a request from Andhra Pradesh to restore electricity infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab.
The Karnataka government has dispatched 500 skilled powermen and specialised machinery to Andhra Pradesh to assist in repairing power infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab, according to ANI.
The assistance follows a request from the Andhra Pradesh government for manpower and equipment to restore electricity services. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to assure him of Karnataka's support.
The deployment includes 15 Palfinger trucks featuring cranes and earth augers, alongside 25 drilling machines mounted on tractors. These teams were mobilised on an emergency basis, leaving on Monday afternoon and arriving by midnight.
Chief Minister Shivakumar stated that restoring electricity is an urgent requirement for the well-being of affected people. He noted that over 15,000 electricity poles were uprooted by Cyclone Arnab.
Energy Minister K J George is supervising the operation, which involves close coordination with Andhra Pradesh officials. Each electricity supply company (ESCOM) has appointed a single point of contact to manage the deployment.
Linemen have been organised into 10-member teams led by a junior or assistant engineer. An executive engineer from each operations and maintenance circle will also oversee the work to ensure effective coordination.