Bhubaneswar: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Shri Suresh Pujari urged to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the state’s disaster management system. Emphasizing the importance of robust infrastructure across the state, the Minister assured that the state government would provide full financial support and necessary facilities without any constraints.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management outlined the discussion points.
During the meeting, officials conducted a detailed review of the expenditure plan under the State Disaster Response Fund, checking project progress and fund utilization across various departments. The Minister directed all concerned departments to expedite projects under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund and National Disaster Mitigation Fund to ensure completion well before their deadlines.
The progress of constructing Multipurpose Flood and Cyclone Centres was also evaluated. The Minister instructed departments to identify proposed sites across various districts quickly, improve inter-departmental coordination, and speed up construction work.
Attendees were informed that the installation of a Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur is nearly finished and will be inaugurated soon. The Minister also reviewed the progress of upcoming Doppler Radar installations in Balasore, Bhubaneswar, and Puri, directing that these installations be completed within the current year.
Additionally, the meeting addressed state preparedness regarding the potential impacts of El Niño. Officials decided to maintain close coordination with the Water Resources Department to maximize the utility of reservoirs, irrigation projects, and water storage facilities. The Minister also mandated that proposed Heat Wave Centres in vulnerable districts be fully operational before the start of the next summer season.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Special Relief Commissioner; Smt. Shubha Sharma, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department; Smt. Yamini Sarangi, Secretary, Rural Development Department; Dr. Manorama Mohanty, Director, IMD Bhubaneswar Centre; Executive Directors of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority; and senior officers from various other departments.