Karnataka sends 500 workers and equipment to aid Andhra Pradesh
The deployment follows a request from Andhra Pradesh to repair electricity infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab.
The Karnataka government has sent 500 skilled linemen and specialised machinery to Andhra Pradesh to assist in repairing power infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab, according to The Hindu.
The move comes after the Andhra Pradesh government requested manpower and equipment to fix electricity services in areas affected by the cyclone.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu via telephone to promise Karnataka's assistance.
Shivakumar said that restoring electricity is an urgent requirement for the well-being of people affected by the disaster.
Energy Minister K.J. George stated that Karnataka's teams will work with Andhra Pradesh officials to restore power quickly through field-level coordination.
The assistance includes 15 Palfinger trucks with cranes and earth augers, along with 25 tractor-mounted drilling machines. The teams left on Monday afternoon and arrived in Andhra Pradesh by midnight.
To manage the work, each Electricity Supply Company (ESCOM) has named a single-point contact officer to liaise with Andhra Pradesh officials. The linemen are organised into teams of 10, led by a junior or assistant engineer, while an executive engineer from every operations and maintenance circle will provide supervision.
The Karnataka government is also providing contingency funds to cover the travel, accommodation, and emergency costs for the personnel.