Bhubaneswar: Accelerating government intervention in the aftermath of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, Principal Secretary of Water Resources Shubha Sarma conducted extensive field inspections across Ganjam district on the second day of her official visit.
The targeted review focused on evaluating the storm’s impact on major drainage channels and assessing structural readiness for flood management along critical coastal outfalls.
Accompanied by top engineering officials and regional basin teams, Smt. Sarma personally examined key watercourses to gauge discharge capacities and potential blockages caused by cyclone-induced heavy inflow.
The inspection tour concentrated on high-priority drainage routes that carry surface runoff into the bay, including Bahana Nalla near Gopalpur NH bridge, Markandi outfall and Haripur Outfall. The on-site evaluations were aimed at restoring optimal drainage functionality and formulating immediate technical solutions for vulnerable low-lying areas.
To ensure a comprehensive tactical strategy, the field visit brought together key technical leadership from across the state’s water management sectors. Senior personnel present included the Engineer-in-Chief (Water Resources), Chief Engineer (Drainage), and operational staff from the Drainage Division, Berhampur.
Additionally, specialised teams deployed in coordination with the Chief Engineer of the Rushikulya-Vansadhara Basin (RVBN) and Minor Irrigation (MI) participated in the assessment. The collaborative effort highlights a synchronised push to fortify Ganjam’s drainage network and secure local livelihoods against future weather disruptions.