Bhubaneswar: The state govt is set to roll out urban flood management and storm water drainage projects in 10 cities in the first phase as part of a broader strategy to strengthen disaster resilience, revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday.Chairing a high-level review meeting, Pujari stressed the need for greater use of technology and community-based awareness programmes to improve disaster preparedness and response across the state. Emphasising the recurring waterlogging issues in Bhubaneswar and other urban areas, Pujari said drainage networks must be managed scientifically.A key focus of the meeting was the memorandum of understanding signed between Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and IIT Roorkee for the management of urban flooding caused by intense rainfall. Officials discussed the detailed project report prepared by IIT Roorkee to improve the storm water drainage infrastructure.The minister directed officials to identify 10 urban centres in coordination with the housing and urban development department for the implementation of flood mitigation and storm water drainage projects. The initiatives will be funded through the state’s Disaster Management Fund.The meeting also reviewed Odisha‘s tsunami preparedness measures. Officials said that 381 tsunami-prone coastal villages have been identified for development as tsunami-ready villages. Of these, 26 villages have already secured recognition under the Unesco- IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.To further strengthen coastal disaster management, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has partnered with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, for modernisation of tsunami forecasting and early warning systems.Pujari said that landslides are emerging as a new disaster challenge for Odisha, especially in hilly regions. Referring to recent landslide incidents in Gajapati district, he said surveys are being conducted at vulnerable locations to assess risks and formulate mitigation measures.The minister also directed authorities to closely monitor coastal erosion in vulnerable districts and take preventive steps wherever required. He stressed that houses built under govt housing schemes in cyclone-prone areas should incorporate disaster-resilient features to enhance safety during extreme weather events.
