Karnataka will send 500 skilled powermen with the necessary equipment to help restore power infrastructure in cyclone-hit Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Monday, November 2.
Shivakumar said Cyclone Arnab had uprooted more than 15,000 electricity poles, making restoration of power infrastructure critical. He said Andhra Pradesh had sought Karnataka’s assistance, and that he had spoken to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Chandrababu Naidu.
The state’s Energy Department is coordinating the assistance, with Energy Minister K J George closely monitoring the situation, Shivakumar said. The workers and equipment are meant to speed up restoration work and help bring electricity back early in the cyclone-affected areas. Karnataka’s teams will work in close coordination with Andhra Pradesh authorities to ensure effective deployment of manpower and equipment at the restoration sites, he added.
Shivakumar also said the approaching Cyclone Murasu presents a fresh challenge. Karnataka will keep assessing the situation and its impact over the next two days while extending all possible assistance, he said. He added that solidarity in times of adversity must translate into action, and that Karnataka stands with the people of Andhra Pradesh.