Disaster Management Model of Odisha: Best in the World

Odisha with its proactive measures and policies has emerged as a model in disaster management. The innovative approaches and policies adopted over the years has helped the state bring down casualties near to Zero in the last major cyclones compared to the 1999 super cyclone that claimed around 10,000 lives. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has viewed of “Every Life is Precious” and “mission zero causality” is motto of Disaster Management.
Odisha has witnessed over 100 tropical cyclonic storms since 1891. The state’s geography and topography with 480 km long coastline plays a major role in it acting as a magnet for tropical cyclones. The Super Cyclone of 1999 stands out as it left behind a trail of devastation that the country has rarely seen. During the last decade, Odisha too has witnessed nearly a dozen of cyclones.
Odisha Government has taken a number of measures to build a robust disaster management mechanism. This included setting up of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, the first such body in India, district and block-level disaster management planning committees, an early warning system to alert about natural disasters and building pucca houses for people living in the coastal areas.
In April 2018, Odisha set up an Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) to alert people about natural disasters like cyclones and tsunamis for those living along its 480-km-long coast-line. Odisha has also raised over 20 units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) comprising highly trained and well-equipped personnel with multi-disaster tackling capabilities.
Odisha’s success in managing disasters was lauded by one and all. The state’s management of Cyclone Phailin in 2013 was lauded by the United Nations, which called it a “landmark success story”. The state’s mechanism has now become a template for others to follow.
Apart from cyclone and floods, even during the height of COVID-19 emergency when there was a serious shortage of Oxygen, Odisha supplied Oxygen cylinders to 12 states and saved lives of millions in the country.
The coordination of civil administration and participation of community in responding to the recent emergency operation of the Bahanaga railway tragedy was phenomenal. Convergence of activities of multiple departments, multi-sectoral and multi-layer approach under an organised and well establish command system has enabled Odisha to address such natural as well as man-made disasters effectively. While Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) are drawn for smooth execution, situation based on-the-spot flexibility for most appropriate decisions have led saving lives and resources. The coordination, cooperation and collaboration with Armed forces has always been exemplary while managing any disasters in Odisha.
Initiatives like Geo-spatial mapping, satellite imagery, and remote sensing techniques are utilized for early warning, disaster monitoring, and damage assessment. Odisha has prioritized capacity building and training programmes to enhance disaster preparedness even at the Community levels.