Bhubaneswar: With incessant downpour triggering floods and waterlogging in several parts of the state, the Odisha government has ramped up measures to deal with the situation in urban areas on a war-footing.
Officials said the Housing and Urban Development Department has intensified emergency measures to tackle the flood and waterlogging situation caused by heavy rain, particularly in North Odisha and districts such as Baleshwar, Bhadrak and Jajpur. The Department is giving top priority to public safety, rapid drainage of water and relief measures in urban areas.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said all concerned officers have been directed to remain on high alert and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.
The leave of all officers and employees engaged in flood management has been cancelled, and a 24-hour departmental control room is closely monitoring developments and coordinating immediate response wherever required.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)have been instructed to deploy adequate manpower, machinery and additional pump sets to remove water from roads, residential colonies and other affected areas on a war footing. Simultaneously, drains, culverts and drainage channels are being cleared to restore the normal flow of water and prevent further waterlogging.
The Department has also directed ULBs to ensure the availability of essential services in affected areas, including safe drinking water, cooked food, dry food and lighting wherever required. Local administrations have been asked to extend immediate assistance to affected residents, while people living in vulnerable areas are being shifted to safer locations wherever necessary.
The Minister said the entire flood situation is being continuously monitored under the directions of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. The H&UD Department is working in close coordination with the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, district administrations and other concerned agencies to ensure timely rescue, relief and drainage operations.
Emphasising the need for a long-term solution, the Minister announced that the State Government will prepare a ‘Strong Drainage Master Plan’ for all Urban Local Bodies to address the recurring problem of urban waterlogging.
The proposed master plan will assess natural water flow, existing drainage networks, water-holding capacity, rainfall patterns, drainage routes and future urbanisation. Based on these assessments, phased projects for the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of drainage infrastructure will be undertaken to build more resilient and flood-resistant urban areas.
“The Government is committed not only to providing immediate relief during the present situation but also to implementing permanent, scientific and sustainable solutions to urban waterlogging,” Mahapatra said.
The H&UD Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens through swift emergency response and long-term urban infrastructure planning.
