- Emphasises uninterrupted drinking water supply in affected areas
- Directs expeditious restoration works and advance preparedness to tackle possible cyclone
- Stresses protection of rural roads, bridges and other infrastructure against possible cyclone impact
Bhubaneswar, November 2026: A review meeting on the progress of relief, restoration and rehabilitation works in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab was held today at Lok Seva Bhawan. Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Shri Rabi Narayan Naik, chaired the meeting and reviewed the ongoing interventions in the cyclone-affected areas.
Over the past few days, the Hon’ble Minister visited several cyclone- and landslide-affected areas of Kandhamal district to assess the ground situation. During his visit to the affected villages under Manikeshwar Gram Panchayat in Raikia Block, he inspected damaged roads and connectivity infrastructure and interacted with local residents. He also discussed relief operations and restoration of connectivity to villages that had been cut off with officials. The Minister further met families whose houses had been damaged and people who had sustained injuries due to the cyclone and heavy rainfall, and enquired about their difficulties. Drawing upon his field observations and the concerns raised by local residents, he discussed the situation and necessary interventions with officials during today's meeting.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Shri Girish S.N., Secretary of the Rural Development Department, Smt. Yamini Sarangi, departmental Directors, Engineers-in-Chief (EIC) of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) and the Rural Development Department, and other senior officials attended the meeting. Officials presented updates on the ongoing relief and restoration works, drinking water supply arrangements, and the status of rural roads and bridges in the affected areas.
During the meeting, departmental officials briefed the Minister on the status of drinking water supply and restoration works in the affected areas. In 2593 of the damaged tube wells, repair and disinfection work has been completed . Of the 393 affected piped water supply schemes, 162 have been restored to operation, while 227 piped water supply sources have been disinfected. To ensure water safety, 746 tube well water samples and 185 piped water supply samples have been tested. For emergency drinking water supply, 235 water tankers, 80 tractor-mounted Sintex tanks and 16 dedicated water supply tractors have been deployed. Eight Mobile Water Treatment Units have been deployed in Ganjam district, with four more being mobilised. Through these units, 2,76,500 water bottles and 1,62,500 water pouches have been distributed. An additional 2,60,000 units have been kept in reserve for immediate distribution as required. Further, 1,036 bags of bleaching powder have been kept in stock for disinfection of water sources.
The Hon’ble Minister emphasised that uninterrupted drinking water supply must remain a top priority in all affected areas. He directed officials to closely monitor the situation and ensure that drinking water supply is not disrupted due to the cyclone and heavy rainfall. Wherever piped water supply systems have been damaged or supply has been interrupted, immediate alternative arrangements must be made to ensure access to safe drinking water.
Shri Naik also stressed the need for advance preparedness to tackle the possible Cyclone Murassu. He directed officials to remain alert and ensure the availability of drinking water, essential materials and emergency services in areas likely to be affected. All necessary arrangements should be made in advance to respond effectively to any eventuality.
The Minister further directed officials to expedite the restoration of damaged drinking water projects, rural roads, bridges and other rural infrastructure, deploying additional manpower and resources wherever necessary. He stressed the importance of restoring connectivity at the earliest and maintaining coordination with the local administration to ensure that relief and necessary assistance reach affected people without delay.
Emphasising the need to address ground-level challenges, the Hon’ble Minister directed officials to complete all restoration works expeditiously and regularly monitor their progress.
