Berhampur: As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Red warning of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of south Odisha in view of Cyclone Montha, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) is gearing up with a response plan to ensure continuous power supply and safety of consumers across the region.
The company has activated its comprehensive Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan (BCDMP), reinforcing coordination mechanisms and emergency readiness in collaboration with state authorities and disaster management agencies.
TPSODL has already completed preventive maintenance at primary and distribution substations, securing critical spare parts, transformers, switchgear, poles and conductors for emergency deployment. Specialised quick-response teams have been positioned across all divisions to handle power restoration swiftly in case of disruption.
The company has conducted mock drills to assess field readiness and inter-departmental coordination, and established a 24×7 Centralised Power System Control Centre (PSCC) at Berhampur for continuous operation and monitoring of 33 kV feeders, primary substations, and 11 kV networks.
Decentralised Area Power System Control Centres (APSCCs) at Jeypore, Rayagada, and Bhanjanagar are fully functional for localised 11 kV feeder control and field coordination. TPSODL has ensured 24×7 power backup at these control centres for uninterrupted supervision during the cyclone.
The company has implemented SMS alerts of outages across six circles to keep consumers informed about power interruptions and restoration updates in real time. Satellite phones have been provided to the CEO, PSCC, and Circle Heads to ensure continuous communication even if conventional networks fail. Around 5,925 personnel are on ground duty, supported by additional manpower, vehicles, and mobile units for emergency response.
Consumers can report any electricity-related emergency through TPSODL’s 24×7 toll-free helpline numbers — 1912 or 1800-2026.
In view of the impending cyclone, TPSODL has advised the public to:
* Avoid touching any wires or plumbing during lightning, as they may conduct electricity.
* Avoid taking shelter under trees or temporary structures during strong winds or heavy rain.
* Refrain from touching electrical installations with wet hands or without insulated gear.
* Ensure that children stay away from flooded areas and storm drains after rainfall.
The depression over Bay of Bengal lies about 1,030 km south-southeast of Gopalpur. The system is likely to move west-north-westwards and become a deep depression by Sunday, and further intensify into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27.
The storm is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.
Though the probable cyclone is likely to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is expected to experience significant and widespread adverse weather effects, including heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts. Accordingly, IMD has issued red, orange and yellow warnings of rain and high-speed wind for different districts from October 27 till the morning of October 31.
