In a major step to ensure effective management and public safety during the upcoming monsoon season and potential floods, a high-level Pre-flood preparedness review meeting was held today.
Chairing the session, Shubha Sarma, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, along with Er. Bibhuti Bhusan Dash, Engineer-in-Chief, thoroughly reviewed the multi-pronged measures undertaken by the department to handle any impending flood exigencies. To prevent infrastructure loss and fulfil the state’s commitment toward a ‘Zero Casualty’ objective, directed all field officers and sub-wings to maintain seamless coordination and remain on absolute alert.
The crucial meeting focused extensively on the operational execution of the department’s ‘Flood Contingency Plan’. A meticulous assessment of the health status of various river embankments for the current year was conducted, alongside a comprehensive review of the current status of restoration and repair works addressing damages from last year’s floods. Field authorities were strictly instructed to complete all incomplete repair works on a war footing before the onset of the monsoon rains. Furthermore, special emphasis was placed on checking the operational functionality of river embankment sluice gates and accelerating drainage desiltation to resolve waterlogging issues across both urban and rural areas.
Based on the critical findings from the mock drills conducted across all major dams in the state, the operational functionality of the flood gates and the preparedness status of the administration were thoroughly evaluated. Detailed deliberations were also carried out on the effective management and mitigation of floodwaters. In this regard, instructions were issued to swiftly resolve all water-logging (congestion) issues that obstruct water flow and to expedite river bed clearance and renovation works. To ensure smooth execution at the ground level, emphasis was given on maintaining complete coordination with the district administration, police authorities, and local public representatives.
To guarantee a timely defence against rising water levels, a thorough scrutiny was conducted regarding the requirement and absolute availability of critical flood-fighting materials, including sandbags, bamboo poles, and wire meshes. Instructions were issued to keep advanced emergency equipment in a state of immediate readiness, while maintaining a 24-hour vigilant watch over highly sensitive and vulnerable points identified for the ensuing monsoon.
Key Highlights :
- 24/7 Flood Control Rooms: From June 1st to October 31st, dedicated Flood Control Rooms will function 24/7 at all Division, Circle, and Chief Engineer office levels.
- Simultaneous Flood Cells: The Flood Cell of the Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources (EIC, WR) at Secha Sadan, and the Flood Cell of the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) at the State Hydrological Data Centre (SHDC), Rajiv Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, will operate simultaneously round-the-clock (24X7) from June 1st to October 31st.
- SHDC Operations & Flood Bulletins: The operational framework of the State Hydrological Data Centre (SHDC) was thoroughly reviewed. Under the direct supervision of the EIC, the Special Inspection (SI) team working within the EIC Flood Cell will regularly publish official Flood Bulletins twice a day throughout the monsoon period.
- Inter-State Coordination: Special emphasis has been placed on maintaining seamless communication and data exchange regarding water flow with neighbouring Co-basin States.
The review meeting was attended by senior departmental officers. Additionally, Chief Engineers of all major projects participated via virtual mode, providing detailed updates on the current state of preparedness and flood mitigation measures in their respective project jurisdictions.
