Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Pradesh secretariat staff struggle to charge phones ahead of pension distribution

There are around 2 lakh NTR Bharosa pension beneficiaries each in Eluru, West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, and East Godavari districts that have borne the brunt of Cyclone Arnab. | Photo Credit: File Photo The Swarna Gramam Swarna Wardu (SGSW) staff in the districts affected by Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh are running from pillar to post to get their mobile phones charged as they need their gadgets in working condition to ensure a smooth distribution of NTR Bharosa Pensions scheduled for Friday (October 30, 2026).With the municipal elections in Andhra Pradesh scheduled for November 1, the SGSW staff, popularly known as secretariat staff, are preparing to distribute the pensions on October 30.Due to the damage done to power infrastructure by Cyclone Arnab on October 27 and 28, power supply is yet to be restored to many villages in coastal districts.There are around 2 lakh pensioners each in Eluru, West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, and other districts battered by Cyclone Arnab.Thousands of electric poles were uprooted due to the gales that occurred as the cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28 (Wednesday).Many villages have been in the dark due to power supply disruptions for the last 48 hours, and the supply supported by power inverters was also exhausted by October 29 (Thursday) afternoon.“Sachivalayam staff have been drafted for poll duties. We have to report for election duty by October 31. So, we planned to distribute the NTR Bharosa pensions on October 30. My mobile phone has run out of charge, and there is no power supply to charge the gadget,” said a woman employee in Konaseema district.“There is no power in our village. We have to take thumb impressions of the pensioners. I have to distribute pensions to 45 beneficiaries in my ward. I am clueless about how to do it,” said an employee.Some shops are demanding ₹50 and more to recharge mobile phones, said a Sachivalayam employee of West Godavari district. Published - October 30, 2026 11:57 am IST