Cyclone-ravaged Prakasam villages struggle without power supply

Villages across Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh continue to grapple with a complete absence of electricity following recent cyclone damage, leaving residents struggling to meet fundamental needs. The prolonged power outages have created cascading difficulties for communities already reeling from the natural disaster's impact.

Without access to charging facilities, villagers are traveling to the nearest urban centres to power their mobile phones, incurring costs of ₹10 per charge. For many economically disadvantaged residents, these repeated expenses strain already stretched household budgets and limit their ability to maintain communication with family members and emergency services.

The electricity deficit has compounded broader challenges facing cyclone survivors. Access to drinking water has become problematic, with water supply systems dependent on electric pumps rendered non-functional. Residents attempting to use generators as temporary alternatives face additional obstacles in sourcing fuel, which remains scarce and expensive in affected areas.

Local authorities have not yet announced a timeline for restoring power connections to the affected villages. The situation underscores the vulnerability of rural communities to prolonged infrastructure disruption following natural disasters, with basic services like electricity proving critical to recovery and daily survival.