HPCL temporarily shuts Vizag refinery; no access to power, internet
Updated: Oct 13, 2014 04:42:37pm
Hyderabad, Oct 13 (KNN) In the aftermath of the Cyclone Hudhud that left a trail of disaster, public sector undertaking Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has temporarily shut its Vishakhapatnam refinery even as people in the area continue to grapple without electricity and mobile phones rendered useless for the second consecutive day.
As a precautionary measure, the company has brought to a halt the 8.3 million tonne-a year refinery which will be restarted when situation is normal again, HPCL Director (Refineries) B K Namdeo said.
Fortunately, there is no damage to life and property at our refinery. Barring the uprooting of a few trees, everything is fine there, he added.
"My guess is that it may take 3-4 days to resume work," Namdeo said, adding operations will start once people are able to travel and communication links are restored.
After remaining indoors on Sunday, people of the port city of Visakhapatnam came out today thanks to the break from rain and strong gales.
Late Saturday, the authorities switched off electricity as a precautionary measure but the fierce winds with speed reaching 185 kmph knocked down the network, making restoration of electricity supply a daunting task.
Hundreds of electricity poles and towers were damaged across Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts, which bore the brunt of the cyclone. With the collapse of communication network, mobile telephony went kaput and internet services remained snapped. None of the telecom service providers could restore the services for the second day running.
With no television, mobile phone and the Internet, the city of nearly 18 lakh population was almost cut-off from rest of the world. People relied on radio sets to keep themselves updated about weather conditions.
The cyclone, classified as a very severe storm, has weakened since landfall and is moving north-westwards. (KNN Bureau)
As a precautionary measure, the company has brought to a halt the 8.3 million tonne-a year refinery which will be restarted when situation is normal again, HPCL Director (Refineries) B K Namdeo said.
Fortunately, there is no damage to life and property at our refinery. Barring the uprooting of a few trees, everything is fine there, he added.
"My guess is that it may take 3-4 days to resume work," Namdeo said, adding operations will start once people are able to travel and communication links are restored.
After remaining indoors on Sunday, people of the port city of Visakhapatnam came out today thanks to the break from rain and strong gales.
Late Saturday, the authorities switched off electricity as a precautionary measure but the fierce winds with speed reaching 185 kmph knocked down the network, making restoration of electricity supply a daunting task.
Hundreds of electricity poles and towers were damaged across Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts, which bore the brunt of the cyclone. With the collapse of communication network, mobile telephony went kaput and internet services remained snapped. None of the telecom service providers could restore the services for the second day running.
With no television, mobile phone and the Internet, the city of nearly 18 lakh population was almost cut-off from rest of the world. People relied on radio sets to keep themselves updated about weather conditions.
The cyclone, classified as a very severe storm, has weakened since landfall and is moving north-westwards. (KNN Bureau)
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