In a significant show of interstate cooperation, the Karnataka government has mobilized a specialized task force and heavy equipment to support Andhra Pradesh as it battles the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab. The deployment involves 500 skilled linemen tasked with the urgent restoration of electricity infrastructure that suffered extensive damage during the storm, which impacted 12 districts across the neighbouring state.
The emergency response follows a direct request for manpower and technical support from the Andhra Pradesh government. Recognizing the critical nature of electricity as an essential service, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar held a telephonic discussion with his counterpart, N Chandrababu Naidu, to confirm the state's support. Under the supervision of Karnataka Energy Minister KJ George, the state administration coordinated the rapid dispatch of resources to assist in the recovery efforts.
The logistics of the operation are extensive, involving both human capital and specialized hardware. In addition to the 500 personnel, Karnataka has provided 15 Palfinger trucks, which are equipped with cranes and earth augers, as well as 25 tractor-based drilling machines. These assets were moved on an emergency basis, with the teams departing on Monday afternoon and moving toward the affected regions to commence field operations immediately.
To ensure maximum efficiency during the restoration work, the 500 personnel have been organized into small, manageable units of 10 workers, each under the leadership of a Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer. Furthermore, an Executive Engineer from each Operations and Maintenance circle in Karnataka has been assigned to supervise the field deployment. Each electricity supply company in Karnataka has also appointed a single point of contact to coordinate directly with Andhra Pradesh officials on the ground.
The broader context for this intervention is the severe destruction left behind by Cyclone Arnab. According to information shared by the Andhra Pradesh government, the cyclone caused estimated losses of Rs 4,764 crore. The storm destroyed crops across 3.52 lakh hectares, belonging to 4.63 lakh farmers, and severely damaged over 7,000 houses and 2,500 km of roads. The power sector was among the hardest hit, necessitating this large-scale technical assistance.
A seven-member Central team, led by the Union Home Ministry’s Chittaranjan Das, has already visited Andhra Pradesh to assess the extent of the damage. Government officials in the state, including the Real Time Governance Society, provided the team with detailed presentations on the scale of the destruction. The districts of Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari have been identified as the areas that suffered the most significant impact.
Beyond the immediate deployment, the Karnataka government has committed to covering all emergency expenses, including travel and accommodation, for the personnel involved. This initiative is being viewed as a practical application of the 'Neighbour First' principle, aimed at providing timely aid during natural disasters. The teams are expected to remain in the region until the power supply is stabilized and the infrastructure is sufficiently repaired, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the welfare of the affected populations in the neighbouring state.
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