Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has placed all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the State on high alert following continuous monsoon rains and the possibility of urban flooding and waterlogging in several areas.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has directed all Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Notified Area Councils to remain fully prepared and ensure immediate response to any rain-related emergencies.
“Protection of citizens and uninterrupted delivery of civic services during the monsoon season is our top priority. All Urban Local Bodies must remain fully prepared and respond swiftly to any emergency situation,” the Minister said while speaking to the media.
Following the Minister’s directions, the Housing and Urban Development Department has issued an advisory to all ULBs, instructing them to take preventive and precautionary measures to avoid urban flooding and waterlogging, particularly in identified hotspots and low-lying areas vulnerable to inundation.
The advisory directs Urban Local Bodies to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and keep their Rapid Action Teams (RATs) fully deployed and ready for immediate response.
Municipal officers, engineers and sanitation personnel have been instructed to carry out intensive field inspections and promptly address issues such as waterlogging, blocked drains, overflowing sewers, fallen trees and other civic emergencies.
The Department has also asked ULBs to ensure that pumps, dewatering equipment, machinery and emergency response systems remain fully operational. It has emphasised continuous surveillance of vulnerable locations and close coordination with district administrations, disaster management authorities and other line departments to facilitate timely and effective action.
To strengthen communication with citizens during the monsoon, the State’s urban grievance redressal helpline, Sahar Sathi (1929), has been fully activated. Citizens can report incidents of waterlogging, drainage problems and other civic emergencies through the helpline for immediate action by the concerned Urban Local Bodies.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to citizen safety and resilient urban management, Dr. Mahapatra stressed the need for advance planning, proactive intervention and coordinated efforts by all agencies to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall.
The Housing and Urban Development Department said it is closely monitoring the situation across the State and will extend all necessary support to Urban Local Bodies to effectively manage monsoon-related challenges while ensuring the safety, convenience and well-being of urban residents.
