Bhubaneswar: With south-west monsoon set over entire Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Revenue & Disaster Management, Satyabrata Sahu has asked all Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to take preparedness measures for probable flood situation in this rainy season.
Writing a letter to all District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners, the SRC reminded them about his previous letter issued on 13.06.2024 wherein detailed instructions have been issued for advance preparation before onset of Southwest monsoon.
IMD, Bhubaneswar has forecast that there may be intense spell of rainfall due to active prevailing monsoon starting from 26% of June throughout the State. As a result, there may be instances of flash-floods/ flood-like situations, water-logging and landslides at different locations, he said.
“Keeping this in mind, you are requested to take immediate action,” Shri Sahu told the Collectors.
The SRC asked them to keep the field-level functionaries in strategic locations of flash flooding/ water logging alert & ready to meet any eventuality and should not leave headquarters.
In urban areas, low-tying areas may have water logging and roads/drains may be submerged/ cut-off. In case of very heavy rain, people of low-lying areas may be shifted to safer locations temporarily, he advised.
Similarly, all the urban bodies were asked to keep the drains/ storm-water channels de-congested and deploy adequate dewatering pumps. Traffic of vehicles on submerged roads are to be regulated, Shri Sahu said.
The ACS further advised the Officer to take de-watering steps in advance by pre-positioning water pumps with generators in low-lying areas susceptible to water logging.
“Ensure supervision of weak/ vulnerable points in river/ canal embankments. Flood-fighting materials may be pre-positioned at such places. Drainage clearance must be ensured for free flow of rain/flood water,” he directed.
The District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners have been asked to bring any urgent issue before the notice of the Department immediately.