The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has intensified its readiness measures for Cyclone Arnab, focusing particularly on the Kakinada, Godavari, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts, which lie in the projected path of the approaching storm. Acting on warnings from the India Meteorological Department regarding the severe weather system over the Bay of Bengal, the power utility has deployed staff, equipment, and supplies to reduce potential outages and accelerate repair work.
To closely track developments and direct emergency responses, the utility has established 30 divisional control rooms alongside 11 circle-level operations centers. Specific allocations include three divisional facilities each in East Godavari and Kakinada, and two in the Konaseema district. Furthermore, a dedicated coordination cell has been set up at the corporate headquarters to manage personnel assignments continuously under the guidance of the chief general manager for operations and customer service.
APEPDCL Chairman and Managing Director I. Prudhvi Tej convened a meeting with senior engineers to evaluate readiness plans. To bolster its response capacity, the organization requested 150 specialized teams from the Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited, along with supplementary supplies.
Altogether, the utility has organized 394 contractor-based teams comprising 4,056 workers designated for rapid deployment and infrastructure repairs. Preparedness assets feature 211 diesel generators, 273 pole-boring machines, 517 cutting saws, and 318 heavy earth-moving vehicles and cranes. Additionally, a fleet of 366 vehicles has been secured for logistical support, complemented by 100 mobile communication devices.
Inventory reserves prepared ahead of the storm include substantial quantities of electrical cables, conductors, distribution transformers, and utility poles. These stocked supplies are intended to facilitate the swift replacement of damaged grid components. Citizens experiencing electrical service interruptions can contact the dedicated helpline at 1912. Meteorological forecasters project that the cyclone will make landfall along the coast between Visakhapatnam and Bapatla, bringing high-velocity winds.