Fearing waterlogging in the state capital following threat of heavy rainfall triggered by cyclone Titli, the municipal corporation and other line agencies have put their officials on alert across the city.
As part of the operation, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), in coordination with other line agencies, has started a multi-agency control room for 24X7 surveillance of the situation from Wednesday.
It has deployed 13 sector officers across the city and pre-positioned pumps in coordination with the Odisha Fire Services Department in low-lying pockets.
“Citizens from low-lying and vulnerable pockets across the city can register their complaints using the Bhubaneswar operations centre helpline number 1800-3450-061. They can also lodge complaints with the storm water control room on 0674-2432281,” said BMC deputy commissioner Srimanta Mishra.
Although the city did not experience a heavy rainfall on Wednesday, several low-lying areas such as Acharya Vihar, Old Town, Nayapalli, GGP Colony, Soubhagya Nagar, Gouri Garden and Baramunda reported minor waterlogging. Civic body sources said that they had received six complaints on Wednesday on their helpline numbers.
Acharya Vihar resident Jagannath Rana, who lodged a waterlogging complaint with the civic body, said he was happy with the way his grievance was addressed.
“They came within a hour with their pumps and dewatered the area. I hope they are equipped to handle multiple complaints,” said Rana.
“The operations centre and the storm water control room received three complaints each on Wednesday. They were received from Ahalya Nagar, Acharya Vihar, Sriram Nagar, Gouri Garden and Jagmohan Nagar of the city. The complaints were attended effectively,” Mishra said.
Following the cyclone advisory issued by the meteorological department, the civic body has directed all officials to be on high alert till October 12.
The notice also maintained that no official could leave the city or take any off till the situation normalised.
Residents, however, remained apprehensive as the cyclone is shaping up over the sea and is likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall shortly after it makes a landfall on Thursday morning.
“Waterlogging is one issue. Shops selling essential items in the city have started shutting down from Wednesday,” said Patia resident and homemaker Sumitra Mohapatra.
Mohapatra said it was almost after four years that such a cyclone threatening to hit the state. “I hope the civic body is performing their duty well, but what will happen if we get deprived of our daily essentials. The government act in such a situation,” Sumitra said.
