Cuttack: The civic administration has positioned 10 high-power pumps near the main surface water channel at Matru Bhavan to pump out floodwater during heavy rainfall this monsoon.

"Most of the pumps that have been deployed are of 82 horsepower. These pumps would be able to ensure quick draining out of accumulated rainwater from the main surface water channel into the Taladanda canal," said municipal commissioner Bikash Ranjan Mohapatra.

An eight-kilometre-long open channel forms the spine of the surface water drainage system, the branches of which extend to older parts of the city.

The main drain No. 1 discharges the water into the system. During heavy rainfall, inundation can be prevented only by timely diversion of the flow of rainwater into the Taladanda irrigation canal.

This apart, there is main drain No. 2 in the eastern part of the city, where inundation can be prevented only by timely diversion of the flow of rainwater into Kathajodi river.

There are ten sluice gates - four at Khannagar, two at Matagajpur and four at Matru Bhavan - for diversion of rainwater.

The main storm water channel has remained defunct from Matru Bhavan to its tail end at Matagajpur because of the ongoing refurbishing work funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

"As the sluice gate to the Taladanda canal at Matru Bhavan lies defunct, we had to deploy the high-power pumps," Mohapatra said.

Badambadi resident Prafulla Mohanty said: "It is good to know that the civic body has deployed high-capacity pumps. However, waterlogging can be avoided only if the emergency cell of the civic body becomes alert on time during a heavy rain."

Waterlogging is a common feature in Cuttack due to its low topography. The municipal corporation positions de-watering pumps in various areas a part of its management plan to prevent urban flooding during the rainy season.

Apart from setting up 12 permanent pumping stations at spots that suffer from chronic waterlogging, the civic body is also ready with nearly 300 pumps to drain out rainwater across the city this monsoon.

"Around 200 pumps are already in place. More will be pressed into service depending on requirements," said another official of the civic body.