Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Under the direction of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, the state government convened a pre-cyclone preparedness conference to assess each department’s preparedness for future floods and cyclones. Drawing on the 2019 Cyclone Fani experience, Ahuja emphasized the need of interdepartmental collaboration in dealing with any disaster. He gave the State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) instructions to improve the mechanism for informing everyone at the local level about cyclones.
The present weather warning transmission system, Doppler weather radar systems, and digital warning systems were discussed at the conference. OSDMA reported that all the necessary arrangements have been made to set up Doppler Weather Radar stations at Sambalpur and Balasore.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Special Relief Commissioner, Director General of Fire Services, and other important officials spoke about their department’s readiness and underlined the necessity of bolstering telecommunications networks, deploying ODRAF forces, establishing a unified command system for prompt services, preparing for flood water drainage in urban areas, and coordinating with the public, local government, and cyclone shelters. Additionally, the summit examined readiness in areas including drainage systems, food supply, medical services, women’s and children’s development, and water resources.
