Bhubaneswar, May 16: The municipal corporation will start de-silting of drainage channel Nos. 5, 7 and 9 from tomorrow to ensure a waterlogging free monsoon.

The civic body today decided on the course of action with the monsoon having reached the Andaman islands three days ahead of schedule.

While cleaning of the drainage channel No. 2 has started behind Sainik School, the corporation will do the de-silting work in the secondary and tertiary drains in the 10 wards where it takes care of sanitation. The civic body will spend Rs 1.52 crore for the job.

Executive engineer (drainage division) of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Pradip Duria, said cleaning of the drainage channels would include cleaning the basin, lifting garbage and other waste blocking the flow of water.

The channels will also undergo regular de-silting because they take the loads of smaller drains to carry water to Gangua Nullah.

Most of the drainage channels originate from the city's west and flow east to deposit wastewater into the Gangua Nullah as it circles the city and empties into the Daya river, which is a few kilometres away from here.

"The cleaning and de-silting of drainage channels would ensure better flow of rainwater into Gangua. It would lessen the possibility for waterlogging in the low-lying areas of the city. The cleaning work will continue till October as the monsoon remain active almost till the end of September," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

Sources said the tendering process for the cleaning of 10 natural drainage channels started on April 15. While contractors are engaged for works costing more than Rs 3 lakh, the drainage division will execute jobs that did not find any takers.

"De-silting and cleaning of major drainage channels have become a necessity for the efficient management of the city's drainage system. It is crucial to carry out the work before monsoon sets in. The de-silting work will also ensure a clean and hygienic environment for residents here," said a senior official of the civic body.

The de-silting job is also critical to prevent waterlogging in the low-lying areas including GGP Colony, Acharya Vihar, Jayadev Vihar, Old Town and Palasuni.

Thick sludge in the drainage channels obstructs the flow of water and triggers waterlogging.

This situation arises when there is too much silt in the channels. The absence of a storm water drainage system also contributes to the problems.

"Monsoon is a really bad time for us because we often have to wade through knee-deep slush to move out of our homes. The situation aggravates as the civic body does not clean the drains regularly," said Biramitra Maharana, who stays in Old Town.