Amphan throws telecom services out of gear

Telecom services across operators were disrupted after the super cyclone Amphan battered eastern India, as power outages impacted nearly 4,000 telecom towers in Kolkata and West Bengal circles.

The disruptions were mainly due to power failures and cable cuts in these circles, while 8,500 towers in West Bengal were running on diesel generator sets.

“About 70 per cent of the sites are working on diesel generator sets, which can work only for eight hours at a stretch. So, restoration of power is critical, especially in Kolkata,” Tower & Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA) Director-General, TR Dua, said.

“Road blocks are also making it difficult for technicians to reach many sites,” he said, adding that connectivity is expected to be restored by Friday evening.