With the monsoon approaching, the State Government has chalked out an action plan for management of flood and water logging in urban areas.
Municipal Administration Director Sangramjit Nayak Odisha has directed the district Collectors and Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers to make early preparations for flood management and water logging in their urban areas.
Like previous years, the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are to undertake drainage clearance and ensure de-silting and repair of all clogged drain channels before the onset of monsoon. Inspection of all drains and manholes is needed and repair and replacement of drain covers are necessary to prevent accidents.
Eviction drive is needed where there is encroachment on drain channels, which causes obstruction to free flow of either storm water, rainwater or waste water.Identification of flood spots is to be taken up as vulnerable water logging areas are to be identified and appropriate steps are to be taken for discharge of water expeditiously at the time of emergency by installing pumping systems there. It is seen that large volumes of construction and demolition materials are piled up inside the drains and on the roadside, which run away through rainwater causing drain congestion and these issues are to be monitored.
Control of vector-borne diseases is needed as in the rainy season due to flood-like situations, there may be outbreak of common vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, diarrhoea and jaundice.
All ULBs have been advised to form Unified Command and Control Centres headed by Commissioner/ Executive Officer along with other members from the line departments and agencies including Fire Services to manage the flood-like situations within their jurisdiction.
During the monsoon, Unified Control Rooms should become active and provide all necessary assistance and coordination to public and all stakeholders in effectively managing the urban flooding and other inconveniences on a war footing basis.
The district Collectors are advised to ensure inter-departmental coordination and assistance in managing all important activities of the ULBs in view of the sensitivity and public perception of the effectiveness of local governance.