Following intense criticism from opposition parties and the public over administrative readiness during the recent severe flooding in Ganjam district, the Water Resources Department has issued a comprehensive clarification, confirming that all standard protocols were strictly followed and there was no negligence of duty.
Addressing the media, Engineer-in-Chief Dilip Rout explained that while initial weather forecasts predicted the brunt of Cyclone Arnab’s landfall elsewhere, sudden local meteorological shifts led to unprecedented rainfall across Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Record precipitation exceeding 546 mm within a short span caused rapid surge levels in key reservoirs and rivers, culminating in severe flooding along the Rushikulya River basin that submerged hundreds of villages.
Extent of Infrastructure Damage
The deluge triggered widespread destruction across southern Odisha’s key water management and supply systems:
- Janivili Anicut: A roughly 90-meter section was washed away, directly disrupting the primary drinking water supply to the city of Berhampur.
- Irrigation Blockades: Severe damage to the Rushikulya irrigation under-tunnel drain has halted water delivery to thousands of hectares of farmland.
- Canal Breaches: Multiple breaches were reported along both the Bahuda and Rushikulya canal networks.
War-Footing Restoration and Relief Actions
The state administration and the Water Resources Department have mobilised immediate countermeasures to restore essential services:
- Water Supply Coordination: The department is working in close alignment with the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department to normalise Berhampur’s municipal water supply at the earliest.
- Infrastructure Repairs: Reconstruction of the Janivili Anicut and major breached canal embankments has commenced on a war footing.
- Ground Support: Multi-departmental administrative teams remain deployed around the clock to clear obstructed roads, deliver relief assistance, and stabilise affected communities.
Refuting allegations of poor preparedness, Engineer-in-Chief Rout emphasised that departmental personnel worked day and night continuously under extreme conditions. With floodwaters receding, the department’s top priority has shifted entirely to high-speed infrastructure repair and post-flood recovery.
