Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, announced a commitment of Rs 2,000 crore to develop disaster-resilient infrastructure in the state on the occasion of ‘disaster preparedness day.’ Speaking via video conference at an event in Bhubaneswar commemorating the devastating Super Cyclone that struck the state in 1999, the Chief Minister emphasized the state’s ongoing efforts to effectively manage natural disasters.
Patnaik cited the Bahanaga triple-train tragedy in Balasore earlier in the year as an example of the state government’s readiness to respond to disasters. He announced the establishment of Special Units in Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rayagada to swiftly respond to areas threatened by natural calamities and conduct rescue operations.
Additionally, Patnaik mentioned that the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department will create a specific disaster management plan at the Grama Panchayat level in the 10 coastal districts of the state.
Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena also addressed the gathering, revealing plans for Red Cross to train ten individuals from each village in disaster management. Furthermore, government officers will receive training in disaster response. Automated weather and rain gauge stations will be installed in every panchayat, with financial assistance provided by the World Bank for 3,000 panchayats, according to the Chief Secretary.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Sudam Mandri, along with other dignitaries, recalled the 1999 Odisha cyclone and highlighted how a well-executed disaster management plan contributed to saving lives and properties within a 24-hour window