Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its flood response across the state, with multiple departments working in coordination to carry out rescue and relief operations, restore damaged infrastructure and assist residents affected by the deluge that has impacted large parts of Odisha.
Departments including Revenue and Disaster Management, Water Resources, Health and Family Welfare, Energy and Works have mobilised personnel and resources to tackle the evolving flood situation in several districts.
The Water Resources Department on Thursday said its officers and staff are actively engaged in field operations, while additional personnel have been deployed to vulnerable locations to ensure continuous monitoring and swift response. Senior field engineers are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of embankments, river systems and other critical flood management infrastructure.
To strengthen preparedness, Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers from the Minor Irrigation, Mega Lift Irrigation, Quality Assurance, and Survey and Investigation wings have been kept on standby in Kataka, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts. The officers have been instructed to move to affected locations at short notice whenever required.
As part of the ongoing monitoring, the Chief Engineer of the Mahanadi, Brahmani and Baitarani Basin System recently inspected the overflow section of the Kharsuan river near the Mahadev Temple in Aali block. The department said the overflowing stretch was successfully sealed with sandbags to regulate the water flow, while field-level officials have been directed to maintain constant vigilance and undertake immediate preventive measures wherever necessary.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has also stepped up emergency operations to address flooding and waterlogging in urban areas, particularly in North Odisha, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. The department said priority is being given to public safety, rapid drainage of accumulated water and relief measures.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said all officers concerned have been directed to remain on high alert and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the situation. He said leave of officers and employees engaged in flood management has been cancelled, while a 24-hour departmental control room is coordinating emergency response efforts.
The minister also announced that the state government will prepare a comprehensive drainage master plan for all Urban Local Bodies to provide a long-term solution to recurring urban waterlogging.
Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner’s office, district administrations, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and other rescue agencies continue coordinated rescue and relief operations in flood-affected areas to ensure the safety of residents.
According to the latest official flood status report, the floods have affected 18 districts, covering 95 blocks, 472 gram panchayats, 1,301 villages and 14 urban local bodies. The calamity has impacted 5,93,083 people, while 1,76,518 residents have been evacuated to safer locations.
