Berhampur Municipal Corporation on High Alert as Heavy Rain Threat Looms; Commissioner Orders Emergency Preparedness
Manoj Kanta Dash, Odisha Barta
Berhampur, October 27, 2026:With heavy rainfall expected, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has intensified its preparedness measures to tackle possible waterlogging and other rain-related emergencies. Municipal Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy convened an emergency meeting at 4 PM and directed officers and engineers to remain fully prepared to respond to any eventuality.
Drain cleaning operations are being carried out on a war footing to ensure smooth water drainage and prevent urban flooding. For the second consecutive day, major drains in Brahmapalli, Shyam Nagar, Gajapati Nagar, Siddhartha Nagar, Annapurna Nagar and Gandhi Nagar were cleaned.
On Monday, drain-cleaning operations continued throughout the day at Kautuki Nagar, Andhapasara Road, near the Gosaninuagaon RI Office, beneath the Agula Bandh overbridge, Om Nagar, Pichipicha Nagar, Jayaprakash Nagar, Bapuji Nagar, Baidyanath Nagar, the New Bus Stand, BEDA Complex and Housing Board Colony near Gopalpur Junction, among other locations.
With the assistance of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), teams are also cutting branches of trees identified as potentially dangerous. The Corporation has informed that a unit of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is expected to arrive in Berhampur.
The Corporation is also considering digging a temporary alternative drain near the far end of Laxminrusingha Sahi in Haridakhandi to facilitate water discharge and address possible waterlogging in the area.
24 Temporary Shelters Identified
The authorities have identified 24 temporary shelter centres in Berhampur. All Assistant Commissioners have been directed to ensure the availability of essential minimum facilities at these locations to accommodate people who may need to be evacuated during an emergency.
32 Complaints Received Through Control Room
The 24-hour BeMC control room has received 32 complaints over the past two days. Most complaints relate to drain cleaning, streetlights, tree cutting and the rescue or removal of sick or dead animals.
Commissioner Reddy has issued guidelines for control room personnel, directing them to contact complainants within two hours of receiving a complaint to obtain an update on the status of the reported problem and its resolution
Strict Action Against Encroachments
Emphasising the seriousness of disaster management, the Commissioner has made it clear that drain cleaning and the removal of encroachments will receive priority in the coming days. Strict action will be taken against those found violating the relevant rules.
The Commissioner has appealed to the public to extend full cooperation to the civic authorities to protect both human lives and livestock and help achieve the government’s goal of zero casualties during the impending weather emergency.
