The Odisha government will engage IIT, Delhi, to prepare a long-term plan for effectively managing the artificial floods in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other urban areas of the state.

The institute will provide technological help to the state government for its plan regarding the construction of sewerage, managing sewerage systems and making embankments to contain and discharge the surplus rainwater to the river system.

The decision was taken at the state-level natural disaster management committee meeting chaired by Mohan Charan Majhi on the first day of assuming power at the state secretariat on Thursday.

Besides, the state government has decided to earmark ₹200 crore for effective flood management in the Bhubaneswar municipal corporation area. For the last several years, Bhubaneswar has been witnessing flash floods and many regions are inundated during the rainy season.

The state government has also decided to strengthen the Odisha disaster rapid action force (ODRAF) and enhance its existing units from 20 to 30. It will be developed into a dedicated force. The state government has also decided to open five regional fire service hubs which can deal with disasters like the Bahanaga train tragedy.

The state government will open 24X7 control rooms at the state, district and subdivision levels to give flood updates. The control rooms will be updated into smart control rooms. It will not only disseminate flood news but also issue directions about how to monitor the situation.

Aware that snake bites are a common phenomenon during the rainy season, the state government directed the health department to stock ample anti-snake venom in hospitals across the state.

Revenue minister Suresh Pujari said: “We are on the job to make flawless planning to deal with any kind of emergency situations likely to occur during the rainy seasons.”