KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government introduced a slew of new measures including Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) to tackle the super cyclone-like situation of 1999, during the observation of Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day and National Day for Disaster Reduction at Rabindra Mandap in the city today.
While addressing the occasion Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed that the Odisha Government has set up 879 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters, 17,000 ODRP houses for Phailin affected of Ganjam and Khurda districts, 571 houses at R&R site at Bagpatia for sea inundation affected people of Satabhaya in Kendrapara district along with five special go-downs, and 12 saline embankments in disaster-prone areas as a part of its effort to minimize the loss of life and property in case of natural calamity.
“Since the super cyclone of 1999 on this day, we have come a long way and have set a global benchmark in disaster management. Now, to further strengthen our preparedness we are focussing on improving early warning systems, school safety and empowering our youths on disaster management skills,” said Patnaik while talking to media persons after the event.
Similarly, talking to reporters on the new initiative of the state Government on the day, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) MD and School and Mass Education Secretary Pradipta Mohapatra said ‘disaster management’ would soon be included in school curriculum at primary-level starting from the academic year 2018-19. The blueprint for the new initiative would be prepared following a meeting between the OSDMA and School and Mass Education Department.
The event which was also attended by Disaster Management Minister Maheshwar Mohanty, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi along with several top officials of OSDMA, witnessed demonstration of the Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) to alert people beforehand in case a natural calamity occurs.
These EWDS would be installed on the towers erected for the purpose at around 162 places across 6 coastal districts along the 480 kilomtre long sea coast of the state. In case of any natural calamity, people could be alerted by the authorities from the State Emergency Information Centre with a single press of switch through this new system. While early warning for Tsunamis could be sounded 3 to 4 hours before the occurrence by this system, in case of cyclone people could be alerted very early. These towers would be inaugurated shortly, informed officials at the event.
Similarly, an exhibition was also held during the event where volunteers demonstrated a new bicycle-ambulance which would be rode by two persons during the emergency to help the injured reach to the hospital.
Ms Kalinga