Berhampur, June 19: The monsoon has arrived and with it the fear of floods.
Authorities of the irrigation department are yet to complete renovation of Sapua canal and Bahana nullah - two major outlets through which sewage is released into the sea near Gopalpur - as the fear of flood looms large.
The drains flow on either side of the city and residents, particularly those living in low-lying areas, are wary of heavy rain this season.
"The drainage system is non-existent here and waterlogging may worsen this year with the renovation of the two channels being delayed," said Gajapati Nagar resident Tapas Rout, who is an associate professor of surgery at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
The renovation, which is estimated to cost Rs 26 crore for the 17km-long Sapua canal and 28.5km-long Bahana nullah, is under way at present.
"We signed a MoU for renovation of Sapua canal for Rs 4 crore last January. The deadline was set for July 13, 2017. Similarly, another MoU was signed for renovation of Bahana nullah for Rs 22.15 crore in 2015 with a deadline of September 22, 2018," said drainage division's executive engineer Ashok Kumar Patra.
The 11km-long Bahana nullah will have drains with a minimum width of 10 metres at all places, a 5,935metre-long protective wall, six culverts and 50 inlets. Two of its branches will also be renovated. Sources said work on a 6km-stretch of the main nullah, a 3,700m-length of the wall and three culverts have been completed. Similarly, renovation on 17km of the main Sapua canal and its seven branches, a 3,430m wall and 30 inlets are under way, sources said.
Around nine culverts of Sapua canal and Bahana nullah will be demolished and re-constructed. These culverts, which were originally eight metres wide, needed to be widened because there were concerns of clogging during heavy rain, engineers said. Earlier, experts had said that unless the canal's sides were reinforced with concrete or stone packing, widening would be of no use as the rainwater would wash them away.
In 2003, major portions of the city were flooded after the two channels failed to provide an outlet for rainwater. Inflated boats had to be used to reach areas such as Alkapuri and people had to live on their rooftops for almost five days. After visiting the areas, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had initiated steps to renovate the canals to allow proper drainage of rainwater from the city with funds from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
