Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified field-level efforts to restore drinking water supply in flood-affected areas, with a focus on disinfecting water sources and ensuring access to safe drinking water, officials said on Sunday.
The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Division has stepped up recovery work to quickly restore water supply systems disrupted by the floods. Adequate stocks of bottled water and water pouches have also been maintained, while the department and district administrations are coordinating the supply of drinking water to affected areas based on local requirements.
As of 5 pm on Sunday, disinfection of 1,461 flood-affected tube wells had been completed. Water sources of 89 affected piped water supply (PWS) projects were also disinfected, officials said.
Various water sources, including tube wells, production wells and open wells, are being disinfected using bleaching powder, with regular testing being undertaken to ensure water quality. The department is giving priority to securing water sources in the aftermath of the floods and preventing the spread of water-borne diseases.
Drinking water is currently being supplied in flood-affected areas through 27 water tankers and 69 Sintex tank vehicles. In addition, purified drinking water is being provided through six Mobile Treatment Units (MTUs) after necessary treatment.
In areas where electricity supply has been disrupted, PWS projects are being operated with the assistance of diesel generator sets to maintain water supply.
Control rooms have also been opened at the district and block levels, as well as at the offices of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation divisions and the Engineer-in-Chief, RWS&S, Odisha, for regular monitoring and prompt response to emerging requirements.
The department said coordinated efforts are underway to normalise water supply at the earliest in all flood-affected areas.
