DoT Activates 24×7 Control Room, Ensures Network Resilience as Cyclone Montha Batters Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
A 24×7 control room has been established at the DoT Andhra Pradesh LSA office in Vijayawada to monitor network performance, coordinate with telecom service providers (TSPs), and facilitate rapid response through district administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority.
New Delhi, October 29: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has intensified efforts to maintain uninterrupted telecom connectivity as Cyclone Montha, now a severe cyclonic storm, wreaked havoc across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after making landfall on Tuesday.
The cyclone has caused widespread damage in coastal Andhra Pradesh, where at least 3,778 villages were forecast to receive heavy rain until Wednesday. In Konaseema district, one woman reportedly died, while the Rajolu island region witnessed devastating winds and tidal surges breaching into low-lying villages. Seawater inundated Palepalem under Antarvedi limits, flooding homes and streets, while Karavaka and Gogannamatham villages reported uprooted trees and electric poles. Several fishermen’s families have been moved to relief centres, as authorities continue large-scale evacuation and rescue operations.
To safeguard communication networks in the affected states, the DoT has set up a 24×7 control room at its Andhra Pradesh LSA office in Vijayawada to monitor telecom operations, coordinate with service providers, and facilitate rapid restoration through local administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority.
All Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been directed to ensure uninterrupted operations by maintaining fuel reserves, emergency power backups, and deploying field response teams in vulnerable districts. The department has confirmed that Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) and Cell Broadcast (CB) systems are active across all networks, enabling early warning alerts and emergency communication as per SOP-2020.
The indigenous Cell Broadcast system, tested successfully at the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), has been put to use for real-time alerts. Telecom operators have also deployed Cell-on-Wheels (CoW) units and mobile BTS equipment in critical zones identified by APSDMA to ensure connectivity for emergency responders and local residents.
Coordination meetings have been held with the State ITE&C Department and APSDMA to prioritise telecom infrastructure restoration and ensure continuous communication for rescue operations. “Our goal is to ensure that connectivity remains intact so that rescue and relief teams can operate seamlessly,” a senior DoT official said.
The department continues to monitor the evolving situation through real-time updates from service providers, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining telecom network resilience and communication continuity amid one of the fiercest storms to hit India’s east coast this season.
