Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department has intensified relief and restoration operations in cyclone-affected urban areas, with priority being given to restoring essential services, ensuring safe drinking water and providing assistance to affected households.
In Brahmapur, where water supply has been disrupted following Cyclone Arnab, emergency work is underway to restore the Janivili Intake. Against the city’s daily demand of 90 million litres per day (MLD), around 70 MLD is currently being supplied through surface water and production wells.
Of the current supply, 64 MLD is being sourced from the surface water system, while another 6 MLD is being drawn from 15 production wells. To meet the additional requirement in affected areas, 20 water tankers, including 12 private tankers, have been deployed.
Enhanced chlorination measures are also being maintained to ensure the safety of drinking water. These include pre-chlorination at 4 ppm, post-chlorination at 10 ppm and 2 ppm chlorination in tail-end distribution zones. Water supply in Hinjilicut and Gopalpur is functioning normally.
Janivili Intake Restoration Gets Priority
Restoration of the Janivili Intake has been taken up on a priority basis. A temporary sandbag barrier is being constructed across Connecticut Nala near the intake point to restrict water flow and facilitate repair work.
The operation began at 5 am on November 1, with around 120 labourers, three excavators and two tractors deployed. Approximately 20,000 sandbags are proposed to be placed for the construction of the temporary barrier. Arrangements have also been made for transportation of materials, power supply, lighting, food, accommodation and drinking water to facilitate uninterrupted work, including during the night.
Cleaning, repair and restoration of the intake infrastructure will begin once the required restriction of water flow is achieved.
The operations are being monitored by Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department Usha Padhee, Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua and WATCO Managing Director Debabrata Mohanty, who are coordinating with field officials to expedite the restoration process.
Five Additional Engineers Deployed in Brahmapur
To strengthen field-level operations, the department has deployed five additional engineers from different Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to Brahmapur Municipal Corporation with effect from the afternoon of November 1.
The engineers are Ajay Kumar Jani, Assistant Engineer, Athgada NAC; Rashmi Ranjan Behera, Junior Engineer, KMC; Aditya Mishra, Assistant Engineer, Gunupur Municipality; Biswaranjan Parida, Junior Engineer, Puri Municipal Corporation; and Bhavani Shankar Behera, Junior Engineer, Chatrapur Municipality.
Their deployment is aimed at reinforcing the technical workforce and accelerating flood management, relief and restoration activities in the city.
Six Districts Asked to Submit Damage Reports
The department has also directed the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) teams in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada to prioritise the preparation and submission of Preliminary Damage Assessment Reports.
The reports will be consolidated and forwarded to the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner for necessary action.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee has directed Executive Officers of all ULBs to ensure regular reporting and close monitoring of the situation until normalcy is restored. They have been asked to provide updates on road repairs, relief measures, restoration of essential services, sanitation and other related activities, while also identifying additional support required from the State Government or other agencies.
Focus on Assistance to Affected Households
Emphasising a people-centric approach to recovery, Padhee has urged ULB officials and field teams to extend direct support to affected households beyond their routine official responsibilities.
ULBs have been asked to mobilise Community Organisers, Sahajog Saathis and sanitation workers to assist families in cleaning cyclone-affected houses, ensuring drinking water supply in hard-to-reach areas and resuming their daily activities. Field teams have also been asked to help eligible beneficiaries access relief assistance.
The department has encouraged ULBs to document and share instances of community support and solidarity during the recovery process.
Additional administrative and operational support has been extended to Brahmapur Municipal Corporation and other affected ULBs. They have also been authorised to utilise available financial resources for emergency response and restoration work. The Directorate of Municipal Administration is coordinating with concerned authorities to monitor the situation and ensure timely interventions.
The department has directed officials and field teams to remain vigilant and continue restoration and relief operations until essential services and normal civic life are fully restored.
