The Odisha government has placed safe drinking water supply at the highest priority in flood‑affected regions, with the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department accelerating disinfection and restoration of damaged sources while ensuring uninterrupted supply through alternative arrangements.
According to official data till July 31, 6,491 of 13,662 tube wells across affected districts were impacted, of which 2,710 have already been disinfected. Out of 642 piped water supply projects, 357 were affected, and 101 have been restored or disinfected. Special focus has been given to Bhadrak, Balasore, and Jajpur districts, where thousands of tube wells and several PWS projects were damaged.
To maintain supply, the government has deployed 47 DG sets, 10 mobile water treatment units, 37 tankers, and 35 additional vehicles/tractors. Over 1.92 lakh bottles/pouches of drinking water have been distributed, with another 4.65 lakh bottles in reserve. District teams are working round‑the‑clock to disinfect sources as floodwaters recede.
A 24‑hour state‑level control room is operational in Bhubaneswar, coordinating with district control rooms to monitor water supply and respond to complaints. Adequate stocks of bleaching powder and disinfectants have been mobilised to ensure safety.
Officials emphasised that no contaminated source will be reused without disinfection, and where immediate restoration is not possible, water is being supplied through tankers, synthetic tanks, mobile treatment units, and packaged water.
The department has also directed instant repair of damaged infrastructure without waiting for SDRF funds, underscoring its commitment to restoring essential services swiftly.
