The Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the state, mandating a wide range of preparedness measures ahead of the 2025 monsoon season. The directive, issued on 6 May under the direction of Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, requires officials to implement the guidelines in letter and spirit, with any lapse to be viewed with serious concern by the state government.

Key Drainage and Flood Prevention Mandates

ULBs have been directed to undertake 100 per cent verification of all drainage systems, including manholes, to ensure public safety ahead of heavy rainfall. Damaged manholes must be repaired or securely covered immediately, while temporary safety measures — including warning signage and protective nets — must be installed wherever repairs are pending.

Regular desilting of drains and strict removal of encroachments obstructing natural water flow have been made compulsory. The department has also identified vulnerable and low-lying zones for targeted intervention, with adequate deployment of pump sets and Diesel Generator (DG) sets to facilitate rapid de-watering during waterlogging events.

Zonal Response and Emergency Infrastructure

Urban areas will be systematically divided into operational zones, each under the supervision of designated officers responsible for emergency response and on-ground coordination. This zonal structure is intended to ensure faster, more accountable action during monsoon exigencies — a recurring governance challenge for Odisha's rapidly expanding urban centres.

Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters and public institutions such as schools and colleges will function as temporary relief centres, equipped with safe drinking water, sanitation, and uninterrupted power supply. Special emphasis has been placed on safeguarding vulnerable groups, with lady home guards and adequate security personnel deployed for women, children, and the elderly.

Public Health and Vector-Borne Disease Control

Public health remains a central concern, particularly the prevention of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, which spike during and after the monsoon. ULBs have been directed to intensify fogging operations, apply larvicides regularly, and strictly monitor water stagnation and waste dumping in drains to minimise outbreak risks.

Control Rooms and Road Restoration Timelines

A 24/7 control room will be established in every ULB to handle real-time issues related to water supply, drainage, and road blockages. Damaged urban roads must be restored to motorable condition within 72 hours of damage — a firm timeline that signals the government's intent to minimise civic disruption during the season.

The state government has also urged citizens to cooperate with local authorities in maintaining cleanliness, preventing drain blockages, and supporting community-level preparedness. With the monsoon expected to arrive in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of these directives will depend heavily on ground-level execution by individual ULBs across Odisha.