Many areas of the state were facing the threat of a power shutdown as many units of the Vijaywada Thermal Plant  had stopped working and power generation was down by 1260 MW. 

The situation is likely to worsen as the striking employees have refused to return to work to repair the tripped units till Saturday night, when their 48-hour strike ends.

Authorities are apprehensive that the remaining units will also stop working. If that happens, power supply to the state capital will also be affected, they warned. 

Many parts of Krishna district, where this plant is located, plunged into darkness on Friday night. 

Power supply was also stopped in six districts from Nellore by the power utilities employees to protest police lathi-charge on them.

The power supply in Kadapa, Chitoor, Nellore, Prakasham, Guntur and Krishna was affected for four hours and could be restored only after officials intervened and police tendered an apology.