Berhampur:Rains last evening,in Berhampur exposed inadequacies in the Berhampur Municipal Corporation’s(BeMC) preparedness,particularly regarding drainage systems.Over a dozen engineers and adequate field staffs with fleet of hired vehicle are in the BeMC,but the waterlogging problem remained unsilved. While BeMC claimed to be prepared for the ensuing monsoon,low-lying areas experienced waterlogging and the city’s roads and thoroughfares were covered in sludge and garbage,today.The sludge and garbages,while made the areas stinking,today afternoon a drizzle made the road slippery and caused much inconvenience for the commuters,particularly for the walkers.The irony is that,every year,showers be it during rainy season or low pressure induced,the city,particularly the low lying areas experience flood like situation and the BeMC assure to sortout,which never completed.The water-logging in the city during last night has compelled thousands of families to face a harrowing time,as the recent rain water along with filth of cloged drains entered their houses.The problem of water-logging aggravates each passing year and the worst sufferers are of the low-lying areas of Tulasinagar, Gosaninuagaon, Padmanagar, Dharmanagar, Bank Colony, Purshottamnagar, Gajapatinagar.The rising water level in the city streets is directly proportional to rapid urbanisation in agricultural fields around the city.Though the city has been expanding rapidly and is the third municipal corporation in the state,no masterplan has been made ever since 1969,said a former engineer of BeMC.In these the five decades, several water channels and irrigation canals that pass through the city have vanished.The natural water flow paths have been encroached upon,leaving little space for rainwater to drain out.Two storm water canls Bahana and Sapua,exists on south and north sides of the city.But both filled with shrubs and encroched at some places. An irrigation canal that passed through Gate Bazar, Corporation Road, SNT road and other periphery areas used to carry rain water from a large portion in the city.The engineer on the condition of anonimity said most of the areas has major water outlet.Citing instances,he said,the canal from Aska road to Andhapasara through several important areas has been encroched and over it shop rooms has been constructed by BeMC.Moreover,the new concrete roads coming up in the city leave no space on either side to let water seep into the ground and in most places, the roads do not have drains.Stormwater management remains a major concern in the silk city as BeMC authorities struggle to address waterlogging issues.Despite directives for desilting drains,agencies failed to execute the work efficiently,causing severe flooding during monsoons.Last year,an 11-year-old boy, Sairam Patra,tragically died after being swept away in an open drain.Following the tragic incident,BeMC took preventive measures,but many large drains remain clogged and uncovered till date,posing risks.However,the BeMC finished its task by barricading the open drains.Meanwhile the forecast by IMD for more rain in next one week has panicked the people.As per BeMC official records,while a sum of Rs 10 crores earmarked for 2023-24 year and another Rs 15 crores for the year 2024-25 has been placed in the annual budget for clean of drains and rainwater.Even the BeMC had prepared plans to clear the rain water with the support of NH authorities and Public workd department.As per the plan,the BeMC has asked the NH and PW officials to keep the drains clean,under their jurisdiction.As the drains under BeMC,NH and PW couldnot be cleaned,the city was waterlogged.However,the BeMC deputy commissioner Kalyani sanghamitra said quick response teams has been formed and 100 staffs of sanitary department has been entrusted to keep the drains in all the 42 wards in the city,for free flow of rain as well filthy water.She said steps has been taken to keep the city free of waterlogging and by june 15th the cleaning task of drains scheduled to be completed.
