Odisha Govt Issues SOP To ULBs To Prevent Waterlogging In Monsoon

Bhubaneswar: In order to prevent flood-like situation and waterlogging in urban areas during the ensuing monsoon, the Odisha government has issued SOP regarding preparation of action plan.

Sangramjit Nayak Director Municipal Administration, in a letter to municipal commissioners, all municipal corporations/executive officers of municipalities and NACs, directed to take suitable effective measures as per SOP on urgent basis at the time of disaster like excessive and heavy rain, flood and cyclone.

Like previous years, the urban local bodies (ULBs) have to take up joint verification with respective Drainage Division/Minor Irrigation Division of Water Resources department to ensure desilting and repair of clogged/ choked drain channels before the onset of monsoon.

Due to heavy rain, the roads, pedestrian footpaths and drains are covered with rainwater. As a result, holes or damage on the drains are not visible leading the people to fall into the drain causing fatal accidents sometimes.

In order to avoid such accidents, the ULBs were told to take following actions ahead of onset of monsoon:

– 100 % verification of all drains and machine holes (both open and closed) within the ULB limit
– In case of closed drains and machine holes, it is required to check the cover and see whether those have been damaged and there is any chance of accident
– Take immediate steps to repair and cover the holes.
– In case, it is not possible to repair the same, appropriate signage may be put up to caution people so that accident can be avoided.
– Cleaning, de-silting, maintenance of all drains.
– Covering the drains with slabs and vulnerable points with nets with warning to make the people aware about it.

The ULBs were also told to remove de-silting materials taken out of the drains immediately to prevent those from re-entering drains. Besides, vulnerable water logging area/ low lying areas need to be identified and appropriate steps be taken for discharge of water expeditiously at the time of emergency by pre-positioning pump sets.

The encroachment of drain channels, which causes obstruction to the free flow of either storm water, rainwater or waste water, should be demolished forthwith and channels kept obstruction free. Legal action, wherever required, to be initiated against the defaulting person or institution in order to prevent them from further encroachment.

In urban areas, immediate arrangements to be made for emergency repair and restoration of roads/drains etc.

In order to prevent outbreak of vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis and water borne diseases like diarrhoea and jaundice in the rainy season, water logging in habitation areas may completely be avoided.

To avoid all these diseases, application of larvicides and bleaching powder in the water logging areas, cover & sealing of septic tanks & soak pits, proper disposal of garbage, cover water container etc. are to be taken up on urgent basis. Regular fogging in the ULB areas are required to be undertaken on priority.

All ULBs have been told to form Unified Command and Control Centre headed by the Commissioner/EO with members from other line Departments/agencies including Fire Services to manage the flood like situation within their jurisdiction. The line Departments may also be requested to send their representatives as member in the said centre.