10 More ODRAF Teams, Adequate Mangrove Cover Along Odisha Coast To Combat Cyclones: CM Mohan Majhi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will form 10 more teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and create adequate mangrove cover along the coastline to check the impact of natural disasters, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.

“The number of ODRAF teams will be increased to 30 from 20. The 844 existing multipurpose cyclone centres will be reconstructed and converted into a schools-cum-shelters. A state-of-the-art Natural Disaster Management Centre will soon come up in the state. Adequate mangroves will be created along the 480-km coastline,” the CM said, adding that these decisions were taken on the basis of lessons learnt during its preparedness for severe cyclonic storm Dana, which made landfall along Odisha coast early on October 25.

Local response teams will be established in every revenue village in the state, he further stated while speaking at an event organised on the occasion of Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day and National Disaster Reduction Day 2024 in Bhubaneswar.

The state government also signed MoUs with two organisations to strengthen disaster management. An agreement was signed with the Council for Energy Environment and Water for heatwave management in 10 cities of Odisha. An MoU was also signed with UN World Food Program for online disaster management awareness.

On the occasion, Majhi also awarded 142 people, who played a significant role in achieving ‘zero casualty’ during Cyclone ‘Dana’.