24×7 Flood Control Rooms To Be Operational Across Odisha From June 1

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the monsoon season, the Odisha government on Tuesday intensified its flood preparedness measures with a high-level review meeting focusing on embankment safety, dam management, drainage clearance and round-the-clock monitoring systems to tackle possible flood situations across the state.

The meeting was chaired by Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shubha Sarma along with Engineer-in-Chief Bibhuti Bhusan Dash, who reviewed the department’s preparedness and contingency planning for the upcoming monsoon.

During the review, officials assessed the implementation status of the department’s Flood Contingency Plan, restoration work on river embankments damaged during last year’s floods, and operational readiness of critical flood management infrastructure.

The Principal Secretary directed all field officers and engineering wings to remain on high alert and ensure close coordination with district administrations to prevent infrastructure damage and minimise loss of life during any flood emergency.

Special emphasis was placed on completing all pending embankment repair works before the onset of monsoon rains. Officials were also instructed to inspect and ensure smooth functioning of sluice gates on river embankments and accelerate desiltation work in drainage channels to address waterlogging issues in urban and rural areas.

The meeting also reviewed findings from mock drills conducted at major dams across the state. Discussions focused on floodgate functionality, floodwater management and preparedness of local administrations in vulnerable regions.

Authorities were directed to immediately resolve water congestion points obstructing natural drainage and expedite riverbed clearance and renovation activities in flood-prone areas.

The department also reviewed the availability of emergency flood-fighting materials such as sandbags, bamboo poles and wire meshes. Instructions were issued to maintain adequate stock of emergency equipment and keep constant surveillance on vulnerable embankments and sensitive flood points throughout the monsoon season.

As part of the preparedness measures, dedicated Flood Control Rooms will operate round-the-clock from June 1 to October 31 at all division, circle and Chief Engineer office levels.

Simultaneously, the Flood Cell at the office of the Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources, at Secha Sadan and the Flood Cell of the Water Resources Department at the State Hydrological Data Centre (SHDC), Rajiv Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, will function 24×7 during the monsoon period.

Officials said the State Hydrological Data Centre will regularly monitor river systems and issue official flood bulletins twice daily under the supervision of the Engineer-in-Chief.

The review meeting also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and real-time data sharing with neighbouring co-basin states regarding water flow and reservoir discharge management.

Senior departmental officers attended the meeting, while Chief Engineers of major projects across Odisha joined virtually and presented updates on flood preparedness and mitigation measures in their respective jurisdictions.