Odisha has strengthened its coastal disaster preparedness, with the number of villages receiving international recognition under the UNESCO-IOC “Tsunami Ready” programme rising to 100.
An additional 74 coastal villages in Odisha were recognised under the programme on Monday, taking the total number of internationally recognised tsunami-ready villages in the state to 100, officials said.
The recognition was announced during a meeting involving the National Tsunami Ready Board (NTRB) and the Odisha government. The initiative aims to strengthen preparedness at the community level and equip coastal residents and local administrations to respond effectively to a possible tsunami.
The need for such preparedness remains significant for Odisha’s coastal areas, particularly in view of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life across coastal regions of India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Under the Tsunami Ready programme, coastal communities are trained to understand tsunami risks, respond to warnings and move to safer locations during an emergency. The programme focuses on community awareness, warning systems, evacuation planning and coordination among local agencies.
100 Villages Receive Tsunami-Ready Recognition
The preparedness of the concerned villages was assessed at the regional level before they were considered for recognition. The process covered coastal areas across Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts.
Officials said the objective of the programme goes beyond merely certifying villages. It seeks to build the capacity of residents and local authorities to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a tsunami.
The meeting was chaired by Balakrishnan Nair, Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), and Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
381 Coastal Villages Identified
According to officials, the Odisha government has identified 381 coastal villages and settlements that could potentially face tsunami-related risks.
The preparedness programme is aimed at strengthening the ability of coastal communities to receive timely warnings, reach designated safe locations and respond effectively at the local level during emergencies.
Given Odisha’s long coastline, several coastal areas are considered vulnerable to marine disasters. Officials have therefore emphasised the importance of involving local communities as an integral part of the state’s disaster management system.
The expansion of the Tsunami Ready programme to 100 villages marks a significant step towards strengthening community-based disaster preparedness along Odisha’s coast.