Vijayawada: Chief secretary K Vijayanand directed all power utilities to remain on high alert and ensure speedy restoration of electricity in the cyclone-affected areas. He emphasised the need for immediate action to restore power supply to safeguard essential services and public safety. On Tuesday, the chief secretary held a video conference with senior power sector officials, including APGenco managing director S Nagalakshmi, APTransco joint managing director G Surya Sai Praveenchand and the CMDs of the three discoms, I Prudhvi Tej (APEPDCL), L Siva Shankar (APSPDCL) and P Pulla Reddy (APCPDCL).

Vijayanand, who is stationed at the Secretariat to closely monitor the restoration operations, instructed the officials to make alternative arrangements for uninterrupted power supply in areas where rectification works may take longer. He stressed the importance of maintaining seamless coordination between field-level engineers, district control rooms, and corporate offices to ensure efficient restoration. The chief secretary further directed officials to deploy manpower and materials strategically, identify priority locations such as hospitals, water supply systems, and communication networks, and ensure power is restored to these critical points first.