Bhubaneswar: In a major effort to ensure safe drinking water supply in flood-affected areas, the Odisha government has launched a massive restoration and disinfection drive, with 2,710 tube wells already sanitised across affected districts.
The Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department has deployed field teams, mobile treatment units, tankers and other emergency arrangements to prevent a drinking water crisis in rural areas following flood damage.
According to the latest assessment till July 31, 2026, floods have affected 6,491 tube wells out of 13,662 reported from various districts, while 357 out of 642 Piped Water Supply (PWS) schemes have also been impacted. The department said restoration and disinfection work is being carried out on a war footing to bring affected water sources back into operation.
Officials said special attention is being given to Bhadrak, Baleshwar and Jajpur districts, where floodwaters have caused extensive damage to rural drinking water infrastructure. In Bhadrak, 3,411 tube wells have been affected, of which 1,311 have already been disinfected. Baleshwar reported damage to 2,191 tube wells, with 545 sanitised so far, while 75 affected PWS schemes have also been restored or disinfected. In Jajpur, 511 tube wells were affected and 122 have been disinfected.
“As floodwaters recede, teams are accessing affected areas and undertaking disinfection and restoration work on priority,” officials said.
To maintain uninterrupted water supply in areas where regular sources remain disrupted, the department has put in place multiple emergency measures. As many as 47 DG sets have been deployed to maintain water supply operations, while 10 Mobile Water Treatment Units (MTUs) are supplying purified drinking water to affected communities.
Besides, 37 water tankers and 35 additional vehicles and tractors fitted with synthetic tanks have been pressed into service to provide drinking water in inaccessible and flood-hit areas.
The department has so far distributed 1,92,235 drinking water bottles and pouches, while another 4,65,000 bottles have been kept ready for emergency use. To tackle contamination risks, 4,420 bags of bleaching powder have been stocked across districts for disinfection of water sources and sanitation activities.
A senior department official said ensuring access to safe drinking water remains the top priority during the flood and post-flood period. “No affected family should be forced to depend on contaminated water sources. Alternative arrangements are being provided wherever restoration is taking time,” the official said.
The department has also strengthened its monitoring mechanism with a 24×7 Control Room operating at the office of the Engineer-in-Chief, Rural Water Supply & Sanitation (RWS&S), Bhubaneswar. Officials are working in shifts to monitor the situation and coordinate immediate action on drinking water-related complaints.
The State Control Room is receiving complaints from affected areas and forwarding them to concerned field divisions for prompt resolution. People can contact the Control Room at 0674-2391203 for drinking water-related issues.
District-level Control Rooms have also been activated across Odisha to monitor local conditions and ensure faster coordination between officials and field teams. Engineers and ground-level functionaries have been instructed to remain alert in vulnerable areas and respond immediately to any disruption or contamination of water sources.
The department has prioritised disinfection before reuse of flood-affected drinking water sources. Where immediate restoration is not possible, supplies through tankers, synthetic tanks, mobile treatment units and packaged drinking water are being arranged.
Meanwhile, assessment of damage to Panchayati Raj Department infrastructure, including drinking water facilities, is underway along with restoration activities. Following directions from the Special Relief Commissioner, eligible repair works will be taken up without waiting for SDRF assistance to ensure early restoration of essential services.
With floodwaters slowly receding in several areas, the Odisha government said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and ensure that safe drinking water reaches every affected village during the recovery phase.
