Bhubaneswar: Electricity supply has been restored to 39.74 lakh of the 40.91 lakh consumers affected by Cyclone Arnab in Odisha, with Tata Power-led distribution companies (DISCOMs) completing more than 97% of restoration work within two days of the cyclone’s landfall on October 28.
The cyclone, which brought wind speeds gusting up to 150 kmph and rainfall exceeding 500 mm in parts of southern Odisha, disrupted power supply across 17 districts. Restoration teams began work as soon as weather conditions improved, clearing fallen trees and debris, replacing damaged poles and power lines, and repairing feeders and substations.
According to the DISCOMs, TPCODL, TPNODL and TPWODL have achieved 100% restoration, while electricity supply has been fully restored in 23 of the state’s 30 districts. In the worst-hit southern region, TPSODL has restored power to more than 16.7 lakh consumers, covering over 96% of those affected across eight districts. More than 6,400 personnel are working in the field, with teams now focused on restoring the remaining connections in Ganjam and Gajapati.
Extensive preparations helped speed up restoration
The DISCOMs attributed the pace of restoration to preparations made ahead of the cyclone. Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plans were activated, 24-hour control rooms were opened and rapid-response teams were deployed. The distribution network was monitored round the clock through the Power Distribution Technology Centres at Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur.
More than 29,000 personnel were kept ready across the state. TPWODL mobilised 8,658 personnel in western Odisha, while TPSODL prepared a deployment plan involving 6,474 personnel, with additional teams kept on standby.
To ensure quick repairs, the DISCOMs had pre-positioned more than 2,800 distribution transformers, 41,000 poles, 8,500 km of conductor, 35 mobile substations and 1,200 vehicles. Essential materials were also stocked at stores across their respective operational areas. Consumers were issued safety advisories before and during the cyclone.
Field crews worked through challenging conditions, including heavy rain, waterlogged areas and roads blocked by fallen trees. In several locations cut off by flooding, teams had to clear access routes before undertaking restoration work.
Focus on remaining affected areas
The DISCOMs said that investments made over the years to strengthen Odisha’s power distribution network have also helped accelerate recovery. These include the addition of substations and transformers, real-time network monitoring facilities and the development of local vendors and material storage facilities to ensure the quick availability of poles and transformers.
Speaking on the restoration efforts, Gajanan Kale, Chief – Odisha Distribution Business, Tata Power, and CEO, TPCODL, said, “Our linemen and field teams have worked day and night, in some of the toughest conditions we have seen, to bring power back to homes, hospitals and essential services. We thank them, the State Government and district administrations for their support, and our consumers for their patience. Our teams will stay on the ground until every affected consumer is restored.”
The DISCOMs said their teams remain on alert until power supply is restored to all affected consumers. People have been advised to stay away from snapped electricity wires and damaged electrical installations. Outages and electrical hazards can be reported through the 24-hour helpline 1912.
