Odisha ULBs asked to clean and repair drains before monsoon

BHUBANESWAR: The Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has directed the civic bodies of the state to inspect and repair drains and machined holes, both open and closed ones, before the monsoon sets in. The action comes after facing severe criticism for reported deaths in open drains during heavy rains in the last few years.

The department has introduced an action plan for the management of flood and waterlogging in urban areas during the monsoon along with the order of immediate repair and replacement of drain covers to prevent accidents. Sangramjit Nayak, Director, Department of Municipal Administration, Government of Odisha, said that roads, pedestrian footpaths, and drains get swamped with rainwater during monsoon. Owing to this, he added that holes in the drains, particularly covered ones, are not visible to passer-by, leading to accidents, which sometimes are fatal. He said that the civic bodies have been asked to put appropriate signage to caution people in cases where it is not possible to repair the drains. He added that they have also been directed to take up cleaning, de-silting and maintenance of all drains throughout the season.

As part of the action plan, civic bodies will identify vulnerable waterlogging points and low-lying areas and subsequently take appropriate steps for the discharge of water expeditiously during emergency with help of prepositioning pump sets. Additionally, measures are to be taken to ensure the desilting and repair of all clogged and choked drain channels before the onset of monsoon. The local bodies have also been asked to demolish any encroachment of drain channels that obstructs the free flow of stormwater, rainwater, or wastewater as channels are to be kept free of obstruction.

Keeping in view the chances of outbreak of common vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Janapanese Encephalitis, and other water-borne diseases like Diarrhoea and Jaundice, because of flood-like situation in urban areas, the civic bodies have been directed to avoid water logging in residential areas. In addition, instructions have been issued to take proper sanitation measures.