Flood Fury / Odisha Water Resources Dept Intensifies Flood Preparedness Across Vulnerable Districts

Bhubaneswar, Jul 30: In view of the emerging flood situation across Odisha, the State Water Resources Department has stepped up its field deployment to ensure close monitoring of rivers and flood protection infrastructure, officials said on Thursday.

Officers and staff have been directed to remain on high alert, with additional personnel dispatched to vulnerable stretches for round-the-clock surveillance and immediate response.

Senior field engineers are maintaining strict vigil over embankments, river systems, and critical flood management structures. To strengthen preparedness, Superintending Engineers (SEs) and Executive Engineers (EEs) from Minor Irrigation, Mega Lift Irrigation, Quality Assurance, and Survey & Investigation wings have been kept in full readiness in Kataka, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri districts. They are prepared to move to the field at short notice wherever required.

In a significant development, the Chief Engineer of the Mahanadi, Brahmani and Baitarani Basin System (MBBS) visited the OAE-9B overflow section of the Kharsuan River near Mahadev Temple at Govindpur under Aali Block. The overflowing section was successfully closed using sandbags, preventing further inundation. The intervention highlights the Department’s proactive approach in tackling emerging threats.
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All field-level officers have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance and take immediate preventive measures wherever necessary. The Department has emphasized that embankments and flood management structures must be closely monitored to avert breaches and ensure public safety.

With monsoon rains intensifying, the Water Resources Department’s heightened vigilance and rapid deployment of engineers underscore its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities. The coordinated effort reflects the State’s preparedness to respond swiftly to any escalation in the flood situation.