Odisha SRC Asks Collectors, Urban Body Commissioners to Be Prepared for Possible Flood Situation

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu on Monday has asked all district collectors and municipal commissioners to remain fully prepared for probable flood situation in the monsoon season.

In a letter to all collectors and municipal commissioners, the SRC informed that the IMD has forecasted an intense spell of rainfall due to active monsoon throughout the state from June 26.

“As a result, there may be instances of flash floods, flood like situation, waterlogging and landslides at different locations. Keeping this in mind, you are requested to take immediate action,” Sahu told the collectors.

He said the field-level functionaries should not leave the headquarters and they should be deployed in strategic locations of flash flood or waterlogging and ready to meet any eventuality.

The SRC directed the urban local bodies (ULBs) to keep the drains and storm water channels decongested and deploy adequate dewatering pumps.

In case of very heavy rain, movement of vehicles on submerged roads should be regulated and people in low-lying areas may be shifted to safer locations temporarily, he advised.

The SRC also asked for pre-positioning of water pumps with generators in low-lying areas susceptible to waterlogging.

He also advised the administrative officials to ensure supervision of weak and vulnerable points in river and canal embankments and pre-positioning of flood fighting materials at such places.

IMD’s Bhubaneswar Centre has predicted heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Koraput districts on June 26.

Some places of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts would also experience thunderstorm and lightning on Wednesday.