Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Titli’: Impact on Indian Power System

Abstract

On October 6, a low-pressure area was formed in the Andaman Sea. Over the next two days, the disturbance entered the Bay of Bengal and became a depression on October 8, receiving the designation BOB 08 from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) named as 'Titli'. With the strength of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (SSHWS) and the storm rapidly strengthened becoming a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 9. On October 11, 2018 between 0430 HRS and 0530 HRS 1ST Titli struck the east coast of peninsular India, made landfall near Vajrapu Kotturu village, Palasa mandal, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, at peak intensity having 1-minute sustained wind speed of 165 kmph. However with accurate forecast by the IMD, wide-scale damage to properties and loss of life has been prevented by timely massive evacuation. Adequate preventive measures were taken by the power system operators and engineers for the power supply system as a whole with the availability of online monitored data including those received from Phasor Measurement Units. Emergency Restoration System (ERS) for the transmission system helped to minimize supply disruption time and in post-super-cyclone period in coming back to normalcy. The paper primarily focuses on the impact of very severe cyclonic storm 'Titli' on the Indian power system. The paper reveals about the disturbances and post cyclonic restoration methods that were carried out in Eastern and Southern Region grid including Odisha and Andhra Pradesh networks.