Odisha Water Resources Department Assesses Cyclone Arnab Damage to Rushikulya Flood Bank

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Water Resources Department has begun assessing damage to river systems and flood protection infrastructure caused by Cyclone Arnab, with Principal Secretary Shubha Sarma inspecting several affected sites along the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district.

Accompanied by Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout, Sarma visited the Rushikulya river gauge site at Purushottampur to review the prevailing water level and assess the flood situation.

The river water level at the gauge site was recorded at 15.835 metres RL, just below the prescribed warning level.

The team also inspected the washed-away portion of the Rushikulya Flood Bank and the head reach of the Main Canal at Hiradharabati Anicut near Hanumanpali to assess the damage caused by the cyclone-induced flooding.

Other affected sites inspected during the visit included Hiradharabati Anicut, Janhibili Anicut, the Main Canals and the drinking water intake point.

During the field visit, the Principal Secretary interacted with local residents and heard their concerns over the flood situation and damage to local infrastructure. She directed the concerned officials to conduct an accurate assessment of the embankment breach and submit a detailed report supported by geo-tagged photographs.

Officials were also asked to expedite the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and initiate the tendering process for the timely restoration of the damaged flood bank.

The inspection was attended by the Chief Engineer, Drainage, other senior departmental officials and field-level engineering staff.

The field assessment is expected to help document the extent of damage and facilitate the planning and execution of restoration work on the affected flood protection infrastructure.