Bhubaneswar: Students of the Rural Management Department of Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, visited the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) here on Wednesday as part of an exposure visit to understand the state’s disaster management practices.
OSDMA Advisor Dr Kamal Lochan Mishra interacted with the students and outlined Odisha’s transformation in disaster management over the past 25 years since the 1999 Super Cyclone.
He explained the evolution of the state’s systems for early warning, disaster preparedness, evacuation, community-based preparedness and the use of technology and data in managing disasters.
The students interacted with the advisor on OSDMA’s functioning and sought insights into Odisha’s disaster management model, including preparations for cyclones and floods, public evacuation mechanisms and coordination among government departments.
Mishra said disaster management could not be learnt through books alone and that effective systems are developed through real-life experience, handling disasters and learning from past shortcomings.
The exposure programme provided the students with practical insights into disaster preparedness and response and highlighted the importance of building awareness and capacity among young people for future disaster management.
Officials said such academic exposure programmes can help develop skilled human resources and strengthen disaster preparedness among the younger generation.
