Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: Following the recent cyclone and subsequent flooding, the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) has accelerated restoration of damaged irrigation networks, riverbanks and flood protection structures across Ganjam, said an official on Tuesday.

Sustained field-level efforts and urgent interventions have enabled water supply to resume through several key canals, restoring essential irrigation services and bringing much-needed relief to affected communities. Priority has been given to the most vulnerable stretches, ensuring timely restoration while addressing longer-term infrastructure requirements.

In a major achievement, irrigation water supply has resumed through both the Right and Left Main Canals of the Ghodahada Irrigation Project, following urgent restoration works, the official said.

Kharif water supply has also resumed through the Daha Right Distributary. At the Jayamangal Irrigation System, temporary breach repairs have enabled water supply at 3.5 cumecs up to 12.5 km of the Main Canal. Similarly, irrigation supply has resumed through the Girisola and Mahanadi Canals of Madhabarida Anicut, with the latter extending up to 26 km towards Sahaspur village. The Gallery Canal from Sorishamuli Barrage has also resumed water supply up to its tail end, bringing vital irrigation networks back into operation.

Alongside canal restoration, significant progress has been made in repairing flood-damaged embankments and associated infrastructure. Restoration works have been undertaken along Jayamangal Inundation Nalla near Khurigam in Chatrapur Block, the Ghodahada River Flood Bank near Singhipur in Hinjili Block, and the Rushikulya River Flood Bank near Ranajhalli in Purushottampur Block.

Similar interventions have been carried out at Mathura Minor near Polasara and the approach road to Boggi Nalla Check Dam at Tandipur in Patrapur Block, helping restore damaged infrastructure and improve accessibility.

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As of today, restoration work at 71 breach locations has been completed across the RBVN Basin, Brahmapur, with work at another 49 locations progressing steadily. A total of 3,882.15 metres of damaged stretches has already been restored, reflecting sustained efforts to strengthen irrigation and flood protection infrastructure across the region.

Meanwhile, restoration at Janivili Anicut continues, alongside inspections of vulnerable locations, including Padmatola Nalla in Chikiti Block, Tipisira and Khama Nallas in Asika, and Badua Nalla near Mangalpur. Particular attention is being given to Padmatola Nalla, an inter-state drainage channel connected to the Bahuda River, where flooding had disrupted National Highway 16. Improving downstream carrying capacity through coordinated inter-state measures remains an important priority for effective floodwater discharge.