Odisha govt rolls out flood management plan for cities

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a comprehensive Urban Flood and Waterlogging Management Action Plan for all civic bodies across the state. The initiative of the Housing and Urban Development Department aims to safeguard the public health, infrastructure and livelihoods of people in urban local bodies (ULBs) through a series of preventive, preparatory and responsive measures, an official said on Saturday.

The plan is made on drainage, solid waste management, flood-prone area mitigation, shelter preparedness, disease prevention and others, he said.

The southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country is most likely to be above normal, another official said.


"Under the plan, all the ULBs will set up monsoon-specific control rooms, which will operate on a 24/7 basis during the season, to promptly address public grievances related to waterlogging, blocked roads, and water supply disruptions," the urban development department official said.

These ULBs are also asked to involve the community in the waterlogging situation, he said.

According to the action plan, elected representatives, ward committees, local volunteers, and women self-help groups (WSHGs) will be engaged in local-level preparedness and response activities.

The department has plans to hold a high-level inter-departmental coordination meeting before the first week of June 2025, involving fire services, drainage division, minor irrigation and other stakeholders to streamline efforts and ensure resource readiness.

Minister for Housing & Urban Development KC Mahapatra said: "Proactive planning and community participation are the cornerstones of our strategy. Our goal is to ensure that urban areas remain resilient, safe, and prepared for the challenges of an intense monsoon."