Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move to curb the rising number of tragic accidents across the state, a high-level review meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The meeting focused on Fire and Emergency Services, with a primary mandate to formulate an aggressive strategy for the prevention of drowning deaths across Odisha. Director General of Fire and Emergency Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi outlined the points for discussion.
The rising number of drowning incidents across various rivers, canals, water bodies, and seas in the state has emerged as a matter of grave concern, leading to the tragic loss of hundreds of lives every year. According to available data, nearly 9,000 people have lost their lives due to drowning in the state over the last five years, with a majority of the victims being children and youth.
These unfortunate drowning incidents are frequently reported at ponds, open wells, hazardous water bodies, riverbanks, seas, waterfalls, and tourist destinations, primarily due to carelessness and various other underlying factors.
Addressing senior administrative and emergency response officials, Chief Secretary Smt.Garg emphasized that preventing drowning-related fatalities is a critical component of good governance and disaster mitigation. The state government has historically recognized drowning as a state-specific disaster, and the current administration is aiming for a substantial reduction in these annual casualties through structural interventions and modern rescue operations.
Director General of Fire and Emergency Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi presented a comprehensive operational roadmap during the briefing. He noted that emergency personnel, newly designated as Fire Warriors to promote gender neutrality and enhance professional pride, are acting as the frontline force under the Disaster Management Act. The department is processing over 200 daily emergency calls, responding to road accidents, building collapses, and critical water rescues.
To strengthen underwater search and rescue capabilities, the meeting highlighted several recently deployed assets, including a specialized training facility at Ramchandi near Konark, which serves as a premier regional hub for deep-sea diving and advanced rescue operations. Additionally, the continuous operation of the 24/7 State Command Centre in Bhubaneswar ensures real-time coordination and swift deployment during aquatic emergencies.
The state is also expanding its preventive network by collaborating with the Tourism Department to train and certify lifeguards for vulnerable water bodies and coastal hospitality zones.
DGP Shri Sarangi underscored the importance of integrating technology and localized safety audits to shield citizens and tourists alike from water hazards. District administrations have been directed to scale up local community awareness programs and safety fencing to ensure zero-casualty objectives are met during festive gatherings and weekends.