Bhubaneswar, June 23 (UDN): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed all departments to ensure strong preparedness to deal with natural disasters and climate-related challenges in the current year.
Chairing the State-Level Natural Calamity Committee meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, the Chief Minister reiterated the state’s commitment to its globally recognised “zero casualty” disaster management model, stressing that protecting human lives remains the top priority.
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He said there should be no laxity in preparedness and asked all departments to work in close coordination to strengthen response systems ahead of the monsoon and possible extreme weather events.
A key decision taken in the meeting was the allocation of ₹6 lakh annually for maintenance of each of the state’s 911 multi-purpose cyclone and disaster shelters. District administrations have been instructed to ensure that essential facilities such as drinking water, electricity, and cooking arrangements are fully in place before any emergency situation arises.
Considering the possibility of below-normal rainfall due to the El Niño effect, the Chief Minister directed the Agriculture, Water Resources, and allied departments to adopt a coordinated “whole of government” approach to minimise the impact on the kharif crop season. The Agriculture Department has also been asked to prepare contingency plans to protect farmers and agricultural output.
He also expressed concern over possible disruptions in global fertiliser supply due to instability in West Asia. District collectors have been instructed to closely monitor the availability of urea and complex fertilisers and ensure adequate stock of nano urea where needed. Panchayat-level monitoring committees will help prevent black marketing and ensure fair distribution.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Odisha’s disaster management system continues to earn international appreciation. He noted that the state’s disaster risk reduction practices were recognised during the recent BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting held in Puri.
Referring to recent cyclone response efforts, including Cyclone Montha that impacted 11 districts, Majhi said nearly 38,000 people were safely evacuated from vulnerable areas. The operation was carried out with the support of ODRAF, NDRF, and fire services teams, reflecting the state’s strong emergency response system.
Officials informed that Odisha currently has 20 ODRAF teams and 347 fire stations equipped with modern facilities. Work is also underway to set up 10 additional ODRAF units to further strengthen disaster response capacity.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Odisha’s proactive planning and quick response mechanism continue to set benchmarks in disaster management across the country.
The meeting was attended by MLAs, MPs, the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Special Relief Commissioner, and other senior officials. Suggestions from public representatives were also noted and will be incorporated into the state’s disaster management plan.
