suparjya swain 
Bhubaneswar: With the onset of the cyclone season, the Odisha government convened a high-level preparedness meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja to review the readiness of various departments to tackle potential cyclones and floods.
Drawing lessons from the devastating Cyclone Fani in 2019, Chief Secretary Ahuja stressed the critical need for inter-departmental coordination and robust grassroots communication systems. He directed the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to enhance its information dissemination framework to ensure timely alerts reach every individual, especially in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas.
The meeting took stock of the current infrastructure for weather alerts, including the status of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) systems and digital warning mechanisms. OSDMA officials reported that preparations for establishing DWR stations at Balasore and Sambalpur have been completed, bolstering the state’s early warning capabilities.
Top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary, Special Relief Commissioner, and Director General of Fire Services, reviewed their departments’ preparedness and highlighted key priorities. These include strengthening telecommunication networks, deploying Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, and implementing a Unified Command System to ensure swift emergency response.
Other critical focus areas discussed were the dewatering of urban flood-prone zones, coordination among cyclone shelters, local administration, and public outreach. The review also covered contingency plans for water resources, food supply, drainage systems, medical services, and support for women and children.
The Chief Secretary urged all departments to maintain high alertness and ensure community-level preparedness to mitigate the impact of any impending natural disasters.
Odisha, known for its proactive disaster management model, continues to strengthen its resilience framework with integrated planning, technological upgrades, and community engagement.
