Odisha: Drains and woes overflow in Millennium City

Baring few localities, all most all the low-lying areas in the Millennium City were severely waterlogged on Saturday after low pressure-induced heavy rains continued to lash the city since Friday.
Commuters wade through a waterlogged road in Cuttack | Express
Commuters wade through a waterlogged road in Cuttack | Express

CUTTACK: Baring few localities, all most all the low-lying areas in the Millennium City were severely waterlogged on Saturday after low pressure-induced heavy rains continued to lash the city since Friday night. With more than 115 residential markets areas affected by the waterlogging, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities were on their toes to tackle the situation.

The worst-affected areas are Badambadi, Roxy Lane, Pithapur, Rajabagicha, Jhanjir Mangala, Patapola, Rausa Patana, Sutahat, Meria Bazaar, Friends Colony, Ganga Mandir, Balu Bazaar, Kazi Bazaar, Kesharpur, Gomadiha, Stuat Patna, Samanta Sahi, Tulasipur, Sidheswarsahi, Mansinghpatna, Tanlasahi, Kanika Chowk, Rover Street, Khatbin Sahi, Jobra, Jagatpur, Mahanadi Vihar, Nuabazaar and Khannagar. 

The traffic movement in the city was halt as water from choked drains was flowing on the roads and lanes. Overflowing drain water entered into several houses located in the low-lying areas, making life of residents miserable. Even residences of the Collector at Tulasipur and High Court Chief Justice at Sri Vihar Colony and Bidansi police station were not spared from waterlogging.“We are awakened since 4 am after water started to enter the houses in our locality. We had to move all the household articles to safer places,” said Sandhyarani Das, a resident of Roxy Lane. 

While the CMC authorities claimed to have deployed 183 dewatering pump sets to drain out rain water, locals alleged several pump sets are lying defunct after developing technical snag due to submerge in storm water. Later, the Fire Service Department deployed its 25 dewatering pump sets and engaged 97 staff at different strategic points for draining out water. With clogged drains, it has become a challenge for the civic body to drain out water into both the swelling Mahanadi and Kathajodi rivers. Residents blamed the lack of preparedness of the civic body and district administration to deal with such emergency.

Collector Sushant Mohapatra said the city has received 195 mm rainfall till 6 am and cooked foods have been provided to nearly 8000 people stranded in different waterlogged areas. While steps are being taken to provide dry food to the marooned residents in the night, efforts are on drain out rain water from city through Taladanda canal, he said.“The holiday has been cancelled and and the CMC officials have been asked to assist in relief and rescue operations,” he added. 

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