THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 6, 2026
The Odisha government on Thursday announced a major push to
strengthen its disaster management infrastructure with the adoption of advanced
technologies, including the early operationalisation of a network of Doppler
Weather Radars, as the state government stepped up flood response and long-term
mitigation measures following recent heavy rains.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, while
chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Odisha State
Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) at Lok Seva Bhavan here today, directed
officials to expedite the construction of Multipurpose Cyclone and Flood
Shelters across the state and enhance disaster preparedness through modern
technology-driven systems.
The meeting reviewed the recent flood situation, post-flood
damage assessment and measures to strengthen Odisha's disaster management
framework in view of changing weather patterns and the increasing impact of
climate change.
Pujari said damage assessment was being carried out on a war
footing and, as per government directions, surveys were being completed within
72 hours of the recession of floodwaters. District administrations have been
asked to submit detailed reports by 5 pm on Friday to facilitate speedy
compensation and restoration measures.
The state government has already released financial
assistance of Rs 110 crore to 22 flood-affected districts. Major allocations
include Rs 22.03 crore for Balasore, Rs 20.20 crore for Jajpur, Rs 20.12 crore
for Bhadrak, Rs 8.18 crore for Jagatsinghpur, Rs 6.11 crore for Keonjhar, Rs
5.56 crore for Sambalpur, Rs 5.04 crore for Kendrapara and Rs 5.02 crore for
Mayurbhanj.
The minister said Odisha recorded 65 per cent higher rainfall
during July this year compared with the corresponding month last year, while
several areas received rainfall up to 97 per cent above normal. Although
floodwaters have receded in many rivers, water levels continue to remain high
at several places, he said.
Pujari said the government would hold another review meeting
on Friday with senior officials, district collectors, Block Development
Officers and Tahasildars of the affected districts to discuss flood mitigation,
repair of breached embankments, desiltation and deepening of river channels,
and other long-term flood management measures.
He said ministers and senior officers had already visited the
affected districts, reviewed flood management and damage assessment at the
field level and submitted reports, based on which relief, compensation and
restoration work would be expedited.
Highlighting the state's technology-driven disaster
preparedness initiatives, the minister said 122 Early Warning Towers installed
along Odisha's 573-km coastline would be modernised with 360-degree
surveillance cameras. Their communication capabilities would also be upgraded
through satellite telecommunication systems and integration of high-speed
communication technologies across all 314 blocks with the central control room.
Officials have also visited Goa and Kerala to study advanced
early warning systems and adopt best practices for Odisha, he added.
Pujari said the Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur has
already become operational, while the proposed radars at Balasore and
Bhubaneswar would be commissioned shortly. Existing Doppler Weather Radars at
Gopalpur and Paradip are being repaired and upgraded, while a new radar will be
established at Puri.
"Once all these Doppler Weather Radars become fully
operational, weather forecasting in Odisha will become significantly more
accurate and precise, substantially strengthening the state's disaster
preparedness and response mechanism," the minister said.
The meeting also decided to strengthen reservoir management,
water conservation, river water allocation and drainage management. Water
regulation across river systems would be improved through computerised
monitoring and closer coordination with neighbouring states.
Addressing the issue of lightning-related fatalities, Pujari
said the state government had sanctioned Rs 35 crore to the Forest Department
for plantation of palm trees in agricultural fields as part of its strategy to
reduce deaths caused by lightning.
The meeting also reviewed measures to tackle urban waterlogging, with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation already working with IIT Roorkee on technology-based solutions for efficient drainage management.
Reiterating the government's commitment to protecting lives and property, the minister said Odisha would continue investing in modern disaster management infrastructure to build a more resilient and disaster-ready state.
