Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up restoration work on flood-damaged dams, embankments and irrigation structures across the state, with the Water Resources Department on Sunday launching repairs on a war footing and placing vulnerable river systems under round-the-clock surveillance to prevent further damage.
The department has deployed senior engineers to inspect affected sites and monitor restoration work as floodwaters recede. Repairs of temporary breaches near Brahmacharipatna on the Kani Right Bank in Jajpur district and at Kimiria along the Brahmani River have already begun, with heavy machinery, construction materials and manpower pressed into service.
Embankments along the Daya, Rajua, Makara, Bhargavi, Mahanadi, Kusabhadra and Devi rivers, spanning Cuttack, Puri, Khurda and Jagatsinghpur districts, are being monitored round the clock. Vulnerable stretches identified during the floods have been strengthened to minimise the risk of fresh breaches.
The ongoing restoration drive was reviewed at a high-level meeting held at the Flood Cell under the chairmanship of Engineer-in-Chief Er. Dillip Kumar Rout on Sunday. Senior chief engineers assessed the flood situation, the operation of the Hirakud reservoir, river flows, downstream conditions, and the progress of restoration work across the state.
The Engineer-in-Chief directed all field divisions to remain on high alert, maintain continuous surveillance, and ensure an immediate response to any emergency. Engineering teams have also been instructed to keep equipment and manpower ready for rapid deployment in the event of any fresh exigency.
As part of the review, the Engineer-in-Chief visited embankments and irrigation structures under the Khurda Irrigation Division along with the Additional Chief Engineer of the Central Circle, the Flood Nodal Officer and other field officials to assess restoration work on the ground. The Kopsingha In-Stream Storage (ISS) project under the Sundargarh Irrigation Division was also inspected.
The department is keeping a close watch on all major dams, reservoirs, river embankments and irrigation structures across Odisha. Restoration work is continuing wherever damage has been reported, with priority being given to public safety, the protection of critical water infrastructure and effective flood management.
