Odisha Chief Secy stresses on ‘natural safeguards’ to prevent cyclone, lightning deaths
The third meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of Disaster Management, held on October 11 under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, had a threadbare discussion on the role of the mangrove forest in weakening the impact of cyclones and palm trees in helping save lives from lightning.
At the meeting, the Chief Secretary laid emphasis on densification of Mangroves as effective natural safeguards against cyclones. He also advised to take up massive palm tree plantation drive to prevent lightning deaths. He advised the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department to take up more and more Palm tree plantations in all areas, particularly in the districts that are prone to lightning.
He also underlined the procurement of Search & Rescue Equipment, accessories and Vehicles for Odisha Fire & Emergency Services after being approved by the SEC. An amount of Rs. 159, 02, 19,356 has already been released against the proposal of Rs. 240,33,51,108.
The meeting also discussed mitigation proposals received for funding out of the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). While the Works Department submitted a proposal of Rs. 8,128.98 lakh for the construction of eight Flood Resilient Roads in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Sambalpur and Kalahandi districts, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) placed a non-structural lightning mitigation proposal for implementation of lightning alert/forecast system in collaboration with Earth Network and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune through SATARK App for three years (2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26) at the cost of Rs 50 lakh per year.
Similarly, the OSDMA also submitted a proposal of Rs. 13,21,200 for the implementation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Ready (IOTR) Programmes in 24 identified tsunami-prone villages of six coastal districts for obtaining the Tsunami Ready Certification from IOC-UNESCO and including organizing an orientation programme on tsunami for key stakeholders of the tsunami-prone urban local bodies like Puri, Konark, Gopalpur and Paradip.
