Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified relief, restoration and emergency response measures in cyclone-affected urban areas, with priority being accorded to restoring essential services, particularly drinking water supply in Brahmapur, and providing assistance to affected households, officials said on Sunday.
In Brahmapur, restoration work at the Janivili Intake is being carried out on a war footing to normalise water supply. Against the city’s daily requirement of 90 million litres per day (MLD), around 70 MLD is currently being supplied, including 64 MLD from the surface water source and another 6 MLD from 15 production wells mobilised to augment the supply, they said.
To facilitate water distribution in affected areas, 20 tankers, including 12 private ones, have been deployed.
Enhanced chlorination measures are also being maintained at treatment plants to ensure safe drinking water during the post-cyclone period. These include pre-chlorination at 4 ppm, post-chlorination at 10 ppm and chlorination at 2 ppm in tail-end distribution zones.
Water supply in Hinjilicut and Gopalpur is functioning smoothly, officials said.
The restoration of the Janivili Intake has been accorded top priority. As an immediate intervention, a temporary sandbag barrier is being constructed across Connecticut Nala near the intake point to restrict water flow and facilitate repair and restoration of the intake infrastructure.
The work began at 5 AM on November 1, with around 120 labourers, three excavators and two tractors deployed. Approximately 20,000 sandbags are proposed to be placed to create the temporary barrier.
Arrangements have also been made for the transportation of materials, power supply, lighting, accommodation, food and drinking water to ensure uninterrupted operations, including during night hours. Cleaning, repair and restoration of the intake will begin once the required restriction of water flow is achieved.
The operations are being monitored by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration; and Debabrata Mohanty, Managing Director, WATCO.
They are coordinating with field-level officials to expedite restoration work and ensure the early normalisation of water supply.
In a move to strengthen the ongoing relief and restoration operations, the Housing & Urban Development Department has deployed five additional engineers from different Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to the Brahmapur Municipal Corporation.
Their services have been placed at the disposal of the Commissioner, Brahmapur Municipal Corporation, with effect from November 1, 2026 (AN).
The engineers deployed are Ajay Kumar Jani, Assistant Engineer, Athgada NAC; Rashmi Ranjan Behera, Junior Engineer, KMC; Aditya Mishra, Assistant Engineer, Gunupur Municipality; Biswaranjan Parida, Junior Engineer, Puri Municipal Corporation; and Bhavani Shankar Behera, Junior Engineer, Chatrapur Municipality.
The additional deployment is intended to strengthen the technical workforce and expedite flood management, relief and restoration activities at the ground level.
Meanwhile, the Department has directed the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) teams in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamala, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts to accord top priority to preparing and submitting Preliminary Damage Assessment Reports at the earliest.
The reports will be consolidated and forwarded to the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) for necessary action.
Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee has also directed all Executive Officers (EOs) of ULBs to ensure timely reporting and closely monitor the situation until normalcy is fully restored.
The EOs have been asked to report on measures taken by their respective ULBs towards road repairs, relief operations, restoration of essential services, sanitation and other related activities. They have also been instructed to highlight additional initiatives undertaken and specify the support required from the State Government or other agencies.
Emphasising the need for a compassionate and people-centric approach to post-cyclone recovery, Padhee urged the EOs and field-level teams to go beyond their official responsibilities and act as friendly neighbours by extending a helping hand to affected citizens and households.
She has encouraged ULBs to mobilise Community Organisers (COs), Sahajog Saathis and sanitation workers to provide direct assistance to affected families.
The assistance may include cleaning affected houses with the support of sanitation workers, ensuring drinking water supply in hard-to-reach areas, helping households resume their daily activities and facilitating access to relief assistance for eligible beneficiaries.
The EOs and field teams have also been encouraged to document and share positive stories of community support, highlighting acts of kindness, solidarity and public service during the recovery process.
The Department has extended additional administrative and operational support to the Brahmapur Municipal Corporation and other affected ULBs to strengthen field-level coordination and expedite restoration activities.
Additional officials have been deployed, while ULBs have been authorised to utilise available financial resources as required for emergency response and restoration measures.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the concerned authorities to ensure timely interventions.
The Department said it would continue to supervise relief and restoration operations across affected urban areas, focusing on restoring essential services, ensuring safe drinking water, strengthening technical support and extending assistance to affected households.
All concerned officials and field teams have been directed to remain vigilant, responsive and proactive until normalcy is fully restored.
