The severe cyclonic storm Montha left a trail of destruction across Andhra Pradesh, severely damaging the state’s electricity and transmission infrastructure. According to official reports, nearly 13,000 electric poles, 3,000 km of conductor lines, and 3,000 transformers were damaged as high winds and heavy rainfall battered multiple districts.
The cyclone has emerged as one of the strongest weather events to impact Andhra Pradesh in recent years, disrupting power, transportation, and communication systems. As the state moves into recovery mode, large-scale efforts are underway to restore essential infrastructure and ensure power supply to affected communities.
Widespread Impact Across Coastal and Inland Districts
Cyclone Montha’s powerful landfall caused widespread outages in both coastal and interior regions. Coastal districts such as Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla were among the worst affected, while interior areas also reported substantial damage to electrical distribution networks.
Fallen trees, uprooted poles, and damaged transformers disrupted transmission lines, cutting off electricity to thousands of households. Rural areas faced prolonged outages as access to damaged sites was restricted due to flooding and road blockages. Field engineers and technical teams have been deployed around the clock to assess damages and initiate repairs in the most critical zones.
Massive Restoration Efforts Underway
Restoration operations began immediately after the storm subsided. Electricity board officials and disaster response teams have been working in coordination to replace poles, repair conductors, and restore damaged transformers.
Temporary power arrangements have been put in placeprioritised for hospitals, water supply systems, and emergency services, ensuring essential facilities continue to function. Authorities have also prioritised restoring connectivity to irrigation systems and to rural households dependent on electricity for daily needs.
Despite the scale of the damage, early assessments and swift mobilisation of manpower have helped expedite recovery across several districts.
Ensuring Safety and Preventing Further Hazards
Public safety remains a top priority in the ongoing recovery operations. Officials have urged residents to remain cautious around broken lines, damaged transformers, and flooded areas.
Public awareness messages have been issued across media and social platforms, advising citizens to report electrical hazards and avoid direct contact with damaged infrastructure. Ground teams are conducting inspections to prevent short circuits, fires, or electrocution risks in waterlogged zones.
Building Long-Term Resilience for Future Storms
In addition to immediate recovery, the state’s power utilities are focusing on building long-term resilience in infrastructure. Experts have suggested measures like underground cabling in cyclone-prone zones, improved transformer housing, and reinforced power poles designed to withstand high-speed winds.
Policy planners are also exploring partnerships to modernize the grid, improve early-warning systems, and enhance response coordination during future natural disasters. This forward-looking approach aims to reduce vulnerability and ensure faster recovery in the event of future cyclones.
Community and Administrative Coordination
Cyclone Montha’s aftermath also highlights the importance of coordinated governance. District administrations, local panchayats, and disaster management teams are working together to ensure efficient restoration. Relief camps, water supply points, and emergency medical units have been set up to assist affected families until power is fully restored. This integrated response reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to resilience and preparedness, even in the face of extreme weather events.
