Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has signed two MoUs, one with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), Bangkok and the second one with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, and Satyabrata Sahu, ACS-cum-Managing Director, OSDMA.
MoU with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham was signed by Susmita Behera, Executive Director, OSDMA and Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Director of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham with the intent of developing Landslide Early warning System in Odisha. This collaboration will strengthen the Government’s preparedness for Managing Landslides Disasters through Early Warning Dissemination.
MoU with RIMES was also signed by Behera and K.J Ramesh, Senior Advisor, RIMES. RIMES will support OSDMA as Knowledge Partner and System Integrator for implementing the World Bank supported Odisha State Capability and Resilient Growth Programme (OSCRGP) Project.
This collaboration will strengthen the Government’s preparedness for Managing Disasters through Impact Based Forecasting, Early Warning Dissemination and Last Mile connectivity.
It will empower the people of Odisha to leverage technology to mainstream disaster preparedness and hence strengthen Odisha in Disaster Management. These MoUs shall ensure Government’s effort towards achieving “Mission Zero Casualty, every life is precious”.
On the eve of signing of MoUs, Chief Secretary PK Jena said that Odisha is known as the best State in disaster management. Whether in disaster preparedness, management during disaster, post disaster or adopting disaster resilient strategy, we have been trying to do our best every time. These collaborations will also help in the capacity building of youth towards disaster preparedness. ACS cum MD, OSDMA has stated that both the MoUs are important and he has sought support from all stakeholders for implementation of these programmes.
