Bhubaneswar, June 23: With a heavy rainfall of 113.2 mm within 24 hours spanning between 8.30 am yesterday and 8.30 am today recorded by the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD), the city’s waterlogging issues in the low-lying and vulnerable pockets were addressed instantly by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) with timely action and dewatering by engaging pumps pre-positioned earlier, in coordination with Odisha Fire Service.

While the BMC and Odisha Fire Service jointly deployed 18 pumps across the city, major places like New Forest Park Colony, Sriram City near GGP Colony, Mallick Complex Jagamara, Malianta Tank Lane Laxmisagar saw dewatering by the pumps.

Similarly, drains were cleared and temporary diversion made near Maa Santoshi Temple at Chharichhak to Jagannath Ashram Road in Badagada. The drain encroachments by house owners blocking free flow of rainwater were removed by the engineering wing of BMC at Bomikhal area following strict instructions from the authorities.

Today BMC Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh ordered to remove drain encroachments by house owners by constructing slabs and ramps over drains creating problem for the engineering teams to clean the blockage of water flowing underneath.

Today the BMC Engineering and Drainage teams took immediate steps by engaging excavators in removing blockage of water flow in Chakeisiani area, temporary transit station (TTS) Road near Mahavir Basti behind Sainik School and Johala area which remained waterlogged after the rain during morning hours.