Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Wednesday signed two MoUs with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CivicDataLab to strengthen disaster risk assessment, preparedness and decision-making through data, technology and scientific tools.
The MoUs were signed by Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) Executive Director Susmita Behera at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, UNDP India Resident Representative Angela Lusigi and CivicDataLab Director and Co-founder Gaurav Godhwani.
Under the partnership with UNDP, a comprehensive Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) will be carried out across all 30 districts of Odisha. Data will be collected at the village level in 10 coastal districts vulnerable to cyclones and floods, while the assessment in the remaining 20 districts will be conducted at the Gram Panchayat level.
The data will form the basis of a dynamic, GIS-enabled digital platform that can be periodically updated to reflect changing climate and risk patterns. It will also support the preparation of district-level risk atlases and evidence-based policy decisions for disaster mitigation, preparedness, climate resilience and long-term development planning.
The non-financial MoU with CivicDataLab will facilitate development of a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Disaster Risk Reduction in Odisha. Through its Intelligent Data Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDS-DRR) platform, CivicDataLab will integrate data from multiple departments and provide real-time dashboards and analytical insights to OSDMA and District Disaster Management Authorities.
In its initial phase, the platform will focus on riverine floods, coastal flooding and heatwave-related risks, enabling improved risk assessment, forecasting and evidence-based decision-making.
Speaking on the occasion, Pujari said disaster management must move beyond responding after disasters occur and focus on anticipatory action, preparedness and risk assessment based on accurate and timely data.
He said data-driven decision-making was critical for saving lives and protecting property while also enabling more effective development planning. The new partnerships, he added, would strengthen Odisha’s efforts towards achieving the goal of “Zero Casualty” and building a safer, more resilient and climate-ready state.
Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, OSDMA Advisor Kamal Lochan Mishra, senior officials and representatives of various departments were present.
