Visakhapatnam: Power supply was restored to one-third of residents in this cyclone-ravaged port city as relief work in Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts continued at a brisk pace, while the Government moved to assess damage caused by the natural calamity.
Water supply has also been restored in a majority of the localities here, six days after cyclone 'Hudhud' struck the coastal belt resulting in loss of 38 lives and causing large-scale destruction, government officials said.
Thanking the government and power utilities for sustained and concerted efforts, Energy Department officials said electricity supply has been restored to 2.5 lakh consumers as against the total of 7.5 lakh in the city.
"Efforts are being made to provide power to most parts of the city within a day or two. Most probably, by Sunday evening entire distribution system will be restored," they said.
In addition to 4,000 members deputed from APSPDCL (Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company), Odisha and Tamil Nadu, the government is planning to draft manpower from some private telecom operators also as restoration works involves pole-to-pole inspection of 2,500 km 33 KV line, 18,000km 11 KV line, 42,000 km LT line and inspection of existing 55,000 distribution transformers, they said.
The officials said the government would distribute 10,000 solar lanterns in remote tribal areas.
In order to enumerate the losses to individuals and damage to infrastructure in an "accurate, timely, transparent and comprehensive manner" and to prevent possible mistakes, a portal has been developed by Information Technology Department, the officials said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he had a discussion with representatives of insurance firms and asked them to fast-track settlement of claims.
