The Odisha government has announced a series of measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, including permanent solutions for urban flooding, improved tsunami early warning systems, and the development of a comprehensive landslide management framework.
The decisions were taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan. The meeting focused on enhancing disaster resilience through advanced technology, scientific planning, and community-based preparedness programmes.
A key focus of the meeting was the growing problem of urban flooding and waterlogging in major cities during heavy rainfall. Officials reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and IIT Roorkee, under which the institute has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for scientific urban flood management.
The Minister directed that, in coordination with the Housing and Urban Development Department, 10 urban centres be identified in the first phase for implementing stormwater drainage and urban flood management projects. These projects will receive financial support from the Disaster Management Fund. He stressed the need for scientific drainage systems to ensure quick rainwater discharge and reduce waterlogging in Bhubaneswar and other urban areas.
The meeting also reviewed Odisha’s tsunami preparedness. Officials informed that 381 tsunami-prone coastal villages have been identified for community-based preparedness programmes, of which 26 villages have been officially recognised as Tsunami-Ready Villages under the IOC-UNESCO Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.
To further strengthen tsunami preparedness, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) is working with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, to modernise tsunami forecasting and early warning systems. The Minister called for continuous improvement of rapid warning mechanisms to enhance public safety.
The review also addressed the growing challenge of landslides in Odisha, particularly following recent incidents in Gajapati district. The government is conducting surveys in vulnerable areas while studying landslide management models adopted by the North-Eastern states. Officials are also consulting national and international experts to develop a dedicated landslide management framework for Odisha.
In addition, the Minister directed authorities to closely monitor coastal erosion and implement preventive measures. He also instructed that houses built under government housing schemes in cyclone-prone regions should incorporate disaster-resilient features to improve safety during natural disasters.
The meeting was attended by Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Municipal Administration Director Arindam Dakua, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Chanchal Rana, senior officials of OSDMA, and experts from IIT Roorkee and INCOIS, who joined virtually.