Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has released Rs 110 crore as financial assistance to 22 flood-affected districts and is moving to further strengthen the state’s disaster management infrastructure with advanced technologies and more accurate weather forecasting systems.
A high-level review meeting on flood management and disaster preparedness was chaired today at Lok Seva Bhawan by Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari with senior officials of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.
The Minister directed officials to expedite damage assessment and the construction of Multipurpose Cyclone and Flood Shelters across the state. Post-flood damage assessment is being carried out on a war footing, with reports being received continuously from affected districts. As per the Minister’s directions, assessment has been undertaken within 72 hours of the recession of floodwaters.
Among the major financial allocations, Balasore received ₹22.03 crore, Jajpur ₹20.20 crore, Bhadrak ₹20.12 crore, Jagatsinghpur ₹8.18 crore, Keonjhar ₹6.11 crore, Sambalpur ₹5.56 crore, Kendrapara ₹5.04 crore and Mayurbhanj ₹5.02 crore.
Pujari informed that Odisha received 65% higher rainfall in July this year compared to July last year, with some areas recording rainfall up to 97% above normal. While floodwaters have receded in several rivers, water levels remain elevated at many places. District administrations have been directed to submit detailed damage reports by 5:00 PM tomorrow.
The Minister will hold another review meeting tomorrow evening with senior officers, District Collectors, BDOs and Tahasildars of affected districts to deliberate on flood mitigation measures, repair of breached embankments, desiltation and deepening of river channels, and other long-term flood management initiatives.
Emphasizing technology-driven preparedness, Pujari said 122 Early Warning Towers have been installed along Odisha’s 573-km coastline and will be modernized with 360-degree surveillance cameras. The state is also integrating satellite telecommunication and high-speed communication systems to strengthen connectivity across all 314 blocks with the central control room. Senior officials have visited Goa and Kerala to study advanced early warning systems and best practices.
On weather forecasting, the Minister said the Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur has become operational. Radars proposed for Balasore and Bhubaneswar will be commissioned shortly, while repair and upgradation of existing radars at Gopalpur and Paradip are underway.
A new Doppler Weather Radar will also be set up at Puri. Once all are fully operational, weather forecasting in Odisha will become significantly more accurate and precise.The meeting also decided to strengthen reservoir management, water conservation, river water allocation and drainage management. Water regulation across river systems will be improved through computerized monitoring and better coordination with neighboring states.
To address lightning-related fatalities, the government has sanctioned ₹35 crore to the Forest Department for plantation of palm trees in agricultural fields. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has also initiated work with IIT Roorkee to tackle urban waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Pujari said the state is focused on strengthening disaster management infrastructure to ensure effective response and safeguard human lives and public property.
