Bhubaneswar, October 31: In view of the flood situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the Housing & Urban Development Department has placed the services of 10 Assistant Commissioners, Executive Officers and Engineers at the disposal of the Collector, Ganjam, to strengthen the district's flood management and relief operations.

The officers deployed include Abhishek Mishra, Executive Officer, Khandapada NAC; Nihar Ranjan Behera, Executive Officer, Odagaon NAC; Avinash Mohanty, Executive Officer, Dasapalla NAC; Babula Dalai, Assistant Commissioner, BMC, Bhubaneswar; Debasish Behera, Assistant Commissioner, BMC, Bhubaneswar; Patitapabana Patnaik, Jatani Municipality; Jayanta Kumar Maitra, BMC, Bhubaneswar; Jadabendra Mohapatra, Assistant Engineer, BMC, Bhubaneswar; Chittaranjan Swain, Assistant Engineer, KMC, Cuttack; and Satya Narayan Mandal, Assistant Engineer, Khordha Municipality.

Teams from Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) and Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) have been deputed to supervise drinking water supply and sanitation arrangements in the affected Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: Relief, restoration operations intensified In Ganjam’s Aska

Special emphasis is being placed on ensuring the safety of drinking water sources and preventing the outbreak of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the floods. All water sources and other community water sources are to be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sanitised. Post-flood sanitation and restoration of hygienic conditions in affected areas are also being accorded equal priority.

The Government is committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring the availability of safe drinking water and essential civic services in all affected areas. Coordinated efforts are being undertaken by the deployed officers and departmental teams to strengthen the response, facilitate relief operations and ensure the timely restoration of normal civic services, said an official release.