BHUBANESWAR: With forecast of monsoon in time, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed the Water Resources Department to complete repair of all river embankments by June 10.The Chief Minister reviewed the condition of the embankments at a high-level meeting here. Keeping in mind the large-scale damage due to floods in the last two years, Naveen has asked officials to be prepared for all contingencies.Official sources said more than 20 per cent of the State’s area is affected by floods every year. Out of the 11 main rivers, seven are flood-prone. These rivers have embankments with a combined length of 7,137.75 km.Officials claimed that all breaches in river embankments during 2008 and 2009 floods have been repaired. But 17 breaches during 2010 floods are yet to be repaired. The work is on, sources said.Progress of various schemes taken up to fortify the embankments was discussed. Work on 52 such projects taken up with ` 184.42- crore assistance from Nabard will be completed by March, 2013. Similarly, 12 ongoing projects with Rs 135.86 crore financial assistance from Flood Management Programme will be completed by March, 2012. A provision of ` 49 crore has been made for strengthening the embankments with stone packing in 2011-12.According to a release issued here, priority will be given on draining water from water-logged areas in the Mahanadi delta. Dredging of the mouths of Daya, Makara, Bhargavi, Rahachira and Luna rivers have been completed and canals renovated. Dredging of Gobari, Hansua and Alaka rivers will start soon. Similarly, river mouths in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Kendrapara districts will also be cleaned.The Chief Minister directed the officials to keep sufficient flood-fighting materials in stock near the 406 vulnerable and 16 very vulnerable points on the embankments identified till now. He directed that 35 lakh sand bags required for the work should be arranged by June 15.Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik and senior officials attended the meeting.
Comments
0 comment