Bhubaneswar: In anticipation of above-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department of Odisha has issued a directive to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Councils (NACs), to implement a robust action plan to manage flooding and waterlogging in urban areas.
The directive, outlined in a letter issued by Director of Municipal Administration Debasis Singh on Friday emphasizes preventive and preparatory measures to mitigate risks from heavy rainfall, floods, and cyclones.
The action plan mandates ULBs to inspect and clear all drainage channels, ensuring desilting and removal of encroachments to prevent waterlogging. Damaged manholes and drains must be repaired immediately, with warning signage installed where repairs are delayed. ULBs have been also directed to install bar screens and wire mesh in drains to filter solid waste and coordinate with departments like the Drainage Division or Minor Irrigation Division for issues outside their jurisdiction.
To address urban flooding, ULBs are tasked with identifying waterlogging-prone and low-lying areas and deploying pump sets for de-watering. Equipment such as generators and inflatable tower lights must be verified for operational readiness.
Additionally, ULBs are to prepare public buildings, including cyclone shelters, schools, and colleges, for use as emergency shelters, ensuring structural stability, electrification, drinking water, and sanitation facilities. Provisions for cooked food and the deployment of female security personnel and local volunteers are also mandated to support vulnerable groups.
The plan includes measures to prevent vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis, as well as waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and jaundice. ULBs have been directed to apply larvicides, ensure proper garbage disposal, and conduct regular fogging to control mosquito breeding.
Control rooms will be established in all ULBs, staffed by dedicated officers on roster duty, to provide real-time assistance during emergencies. These control rooms will be equipped with communication tools to address issues like blocked roads, disrupted water supply, and clogged drains.
The directive also emphasizes inter-departmental coordination, with ULBs urged to involve elected representatives, ward committees, and agencies like Fire Services.
A coordination meeting with relevant departments is scheduled to be held a week before June 2025 to ensure preparedness. Collectors and Commissioners are tasked with facilitating seamless cooperation during emergencies.
The HUD Department stressed that timely action, effective coordination, and community involvement are critical to minimizing risks and ensuring public safety during the monsoon season.
