The remarkable manner in which the state of Odisha gets back to normalcy after being repeatedly hit by natural disasters is a lesson to other states. This story is about the restoration of electricity network after the devastation caused by “Yaas”. The coastal districts of Odisha are vulnerable to frequent cyclonic disturbances. The high wind, torrential rain and storm surge associated with the cyclone bring damage to the coastal settlements. The recent severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ crossed north Odisha coast with maximum sustained wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting up to 155 kmph on 26th May, 2021
It caused extensive damage to the electrical distribution networks. However, with meticulous planning and flawless execution, power supply to 95% of the affected consumers could be restored in 72 hours and the restoration was almost completed over the next 48 hours.
Odisha learned a bitter lesson after the super cyclone of 1999. Over the next two decades, the State Government has established a world class disaster preparedness and post disaster response system which has been widely acknowledged by international agencies like UNDRR. The State kept on learning from each calamity if encountered and accordingly continuously kept on upgrading its disaster preparedness and mitigation standard operating procedures (SOPs)
When it comes to Power Infrastructure, State’s network has expanded manifold over the past two decades. The length of the distribution network has gone up from 1.14 lakh circuit km to 3.74 lakh circuit km. The State Energy Department had three major challenges, when it started preparation for a possible summer cyclone in May, 2021. The 2nd wave of COVID-19 was accelerating fast. 78 dedicated COVID care facilities functioning in the State, out of which 60 have ICU facilities. Six major Oxygen manufacturing units and about thirty oxygen refilling plants required continuous power supply. Odisha was supplying Medical Oxygen to a number of states. Tata Power had taken over the management of the northern distribution utility on first of April, 2021. They did not have any prior experience of pre-cyclone preparedness and post cyclone restoration.
Cyclone YAAS caused storm surges up to 4 meters height. Incessant rains followed by cyclone and the tidal ingress flooded thousands of hectares of low lying lands. Carrying on restoration work was difficult. Poles & equipment were moved by float, through small vessels and at times on shoulders.
Power supply to about 30 lakh consumers got disrupted and more than 1 lakh Distribution Transformers were out of order. The maximum load came down by about 1500 MW, which is about 40 percent of the total demand of the State. However, the Grid was managed smoothly with coordination with the Generators and Easter Region Load Dispatch Centre (ERLDC). A fully functional back-up State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) was made operational at Meramundali 100 km away from the SLDC at Bhubaneswar to take care of the eventualities in case the cyclone impacted Bhubaneswar.
Fail safe power supply arrangements were made for all 6 large Oxygen generating plants through emergency Grid connectivity, though they have their own captive generating units. All Oxygen plants and COVID Hospitals / COVID Care Centers were provided with DG-sets with enough fuel for 7 days.
Cyclone preparedness had started early in April 2021, by pruning of tree branches and strengthening of distribution infrastructure. Critical consumers like oxygen plants, Covid care centers, Hospitals, Public water works, important administrative offices, telecom exchanges were mapped in advance so that the feeders serving them could be restored on priority.
Adequate materials like Poles, Transformers, AB cables etc. were mobilised and pre-positioned at strategic locations for early restoration. Transport vehicles & machineries like, cranes, hyrda (?), pole erectors, DG sets, power hacksaw, emergency lights and other T&P etc. were pre-placed. Existing EPC contractors, rate contract holders & Utility workmen were mobilized at different locations prior to the cyclone to start restoration works immediately post cyclone. Advance procurement action was taken for dispatch of materials at short notice. Emergency Restoration System (ERS) gangs & EHT towers were moved to critical Grids for meeting any eventuality of transmission tower collapse.
Personal protective equipment like safety helmets, discharge rod, hand gloves and safety belts & boots, masks & sanitizer etc. were procured in sufficient quantities for the workman. DISCOMs were instructed to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) strictly before re-energizing line & equipment during post-cyclone restoration. Mass scale employee vaccination drives were conducted prior to cyclone. Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) of workmen was carried out prior to deployment and after completion of work to prevent COVID-19 spreading.
More than 10,000 workmen were engaged along with 5,000 utility staff for completing the restoration work within 5 days. Sufficient numbers of pole-masters, cranes etc. were put to use to prevent workmen fatigue. The Department enhanced the wage rates by 50 percent and additional food charges were also allowed for the workmen engaged in post cyclone restoration work. Higher charges were also allowed for the transport vehicles and equipment to be requisitioned for post cyclone restoration work.
Power supply was restored to District Headquarters towns & COVID Hospitals within 8 hours, Oxygen plants within 12 hours, Block Headquarters within 24 hours. 80% Public Water Works & Primary Health care Centres were restored power supply within 48 hours. Power supply to 99.5% consumers could be restored in 5 days.
Such scale of restoration of electrical network in 5 days after a disaster of this magnitude is unprecedented. The extensive preparation, meticulous planning, anticipation of damages, adapting the preparedness and response according to the need were key to the successful completion of restoration work in record time.
What happened in Odisha in the management of post Yaas fallout was truly exemplary. Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Principal Secretary, Energy and his committed team of officers could make it happen because of advance planning, smooth execution by taking all the stake holders into confidence and political leadership and direction from the highest level of the Government.
Anil Swarup has served as the head of the Project Monitoring Group, which is currently under the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also served as Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Secretary, Ministry of School Education.
