The Department of Telecommunications has rolled out strong plans to keep phone and internet services running smoothly as Cyclone Montha heads toward the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. With the storm building up in the Bay of Bengal, officials are leaving no stone unturned to avoid any communication blackout in the affected areas.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring from Vijayawada
A dedicated control room now operates non-stop at the DoT office in Vijayawada. Staff there keep a close eye on network health, talk directly with mobile operators, and work hand-in-hand with district officials and the state disaster team. Any glitch gets spotted and fixed quickly so people stay connected when it matters most.
All mobile companies have received clear orders: maintain full service, stock enough diesel for backup generators, check emergency power units, and send repair crews to the districts most at risk. These steps make sure towers stay online even if the power grid fails.
Early Warning Systems Fully Tested
Following the 2020 guidelines, every network has finished testing two key tools. First, Intra Circle Roaming lets users switch to another operator’s signal if their own tower goes down. Second, the new home-grown Cell Broadcast system pushes instant alerts to every phone in a danger zone. Both features passed recent checks at the Andhra Pradesh disaster authority office and stand ready for action.
Mobile Towers on Wheels Ready to Roll
Operators must park Cell-on-Wheels units and portable base stations at spots picked by the state disaster team. These truck-mounted setups can replace damaged towers within hours and restore voice and data links for rescue workers and residents.
DoT leaders sat down with the state IT department and disaster managers to map out priorities. The moment the storm passes, repair teams will focus first on hospitals, police stations, and relief camps. This coordinated effort aims to bring normal service back faster than ever.
Constant Updates Keep Everyone in the Loop
The Vijayawada control room receives hourly reports from field engineers and network operation centers. Any drop in signal strength triggers an instant response. Fuel trucks, spare parts, and extra technicians wait on standby across coastal districts.
Years of learning from past cyclones have shaped today’s playbook. Back in 2020, the same standard procedures helped restore links within a day in many areas. Officials hope the upgraded indigenous alert system will prove even more useful this time.
Why Unbroken Connectivity Saves Lives
When a cyclone hits, families need to reach each other, ambulances require clear directions, and relief coordinators depend on real-time updates. A single hour without network can delay food drops or medical evacuations. That is why DoT treats telecom towers like lifelines and guards them with the same urgency as roads or hospitals.
Residents in low-lying villages now receive test messages confirming that emergency broadcasts work on their phones. Local officials run drills to ensure everyone knows how to share location details with rescue boats or helicopters.
Lessons from the Ground
Field teams share stories from earlier storms. One engineer remembers climbing a water-logged tower at midnight to restart a generator. Another recalls driving a fuel tanker through flooded roads to keep a hospital linked to the outside world. These experiences guide today’s preparations and remind everyone why advance planning matters.
Coastal communities have also started community watch groups. They report fallen trees near towers or power lines so crews can reach the spot before the storm peaks. This two-way flow of information strengthens the entire safety net.
Looking Ahead After the Storm
Once Cyclone Montha moves inland, the control room will shift gears. Engineers will fan out to assess damage, replace broken equipment, and restore full coverage. The same SOP that guides pre-storm readiness also covers rapid recovery.
DoT promises to keep the public informed through short updates on official channels. People can expect clear messages about which areas regain service first and where temporary mobile units are parked.
By treating every tower as critical infrastructure, the department aims to shorten the disruption window to the bare minimum. Residents and visitors alike can feel more secure knowing that help is just a phone call away, no matter how fierce the winds blow.
Focused keyword: Cyclone Montha
Meta description: Cyclone Montha approaches Andhra Pradesh and Odisha; DoT activates 24/7 control room and backup systems to protect telecom links.