The Odisha government has announced new measures to strengthen river embankments following the recent floods, with plans to make them wider and higher.
Special focus will be given to the Baitarani river embankments, officials said.
Addressing a press meet at the Water Resources Department headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Engineer‑in‑Chief Dillip Rout clarified that the breaches during the current floods were not man‑made, but occurred due to heavy water inflow and accumulation.
He noted that the flood situation in Subarnarekha has eased, with water levels now below danger marks. Rivers including Jalaka, Baitarani and Brahmani are also showing reduced levels. At Hirakud, seven gates remain open, discharging 1.45 lakh cusecs of water.
While some areas in Jajpur and Bhadrak continue to face waterlogging, breaches have been closed, and repair work is underway. Engineers are on site to ensure restoration within two days.
Learning from this flood, the department has decided to reinforce weak embankments in rivers like Salandi, Kanhi and Baitarani. The government will undertake embankment strengthening with NABARD funding, Raut confirmed.
The measures aim to prevent future breaches and safeguard vulnerable districts, ensuring better flood resilience across Odisha.
