Karnataka sends 500 linemen, specialised equipment to cyclone-hit AP

The assistance follows a request from the Andhra Pradesh government for manpower and equipment to undertake urgent restoration work.

Bengaluru: Karnataka has extended emergency assistance to Andhra Pradesh to restore electricity infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab, deploying 500 skilled power workers and specialised machinery to the neighbouring state.

The assistance follows a request from the Andhra Pradesh government for manpower and equipment to undertake urgent restoration work. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar spoke to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu over the phone and assured him of Karnataka’s full support.

Shivakumar said electricity was an essential service and its restoration was a priority to ensure the welfare of people affected by the cyclone. Energy Minister K.J. George is supervising the deployment and coordinating the assistance.

The Karnataka government has dispatched 500 skilled linemen, 15 Palfinger trucks fitted with cranes and earth augers, and 25 tractor-mounted drilling machines. The teams were mobilised on an emergency basis and left for Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon, reaching the state around midnight.

The linemen have been organised into groups of 10, with each team headed by a junior engineer or assistant engineer. An executive engineer from every operation and maintenance circle has been assigned responsibility for overall supervision and coordination.

Each electricity supply company (ESCOM) in Karnataka has also nominated a single point of contact to coordinate with the concerned Andhra Pradesh officials.

The machinery is accompanied by drivers and operators to ensure it can be put to immediate use at the affected locations. The government has arranged contingency funds to meet the travel, accommodation and other expenses of the deployed personnel.

George said Karnataka’s teams would work closely with local officials to expedite repairs and restore power supply. The initiative reflects the state’s commitment to inter-state cooperation and the ‘Neighbour First’ principle during natural disasters.