HOW ODISHA MINIMISED CYCLONE IMPACT SINCE 1999

Odisha has come a long way since 1999 super cyclone that left about 10,000 people dead and saw a storm surge of 16-23 meters and wind speed of up to 260 km per hour. When cyclone Phalin with wind speed of 220 km per hour hit Odisha in 2014, the loss was bare minimum. Here are the steps taken in-between to minimise the loss.

Odisha became first state to set up disaster management authority, which is the single point authority to prepare and plan for incoming natural disasters after the 1999 cyclone. First state to have an office of relief commissioner. Advance early warning system based on better prediction by IMD for all residents along 480 km coast through SMS and 122 sirens in six coastal districts. The number of permanent cyclone shelters increased from 23 in 1999 to 879 in

2018 to accommodate over five lakh people.

Since 1999, the state government has converted a large number of mud homes into pucca (concrete) houses under schemes such as Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana or PM Ayas Yojana.

Clear command and control protocol adopted with each officer — from constable to collector — knowing what to do in case of a cyclone. Unlike 1999, each panchayat home keeps stock of basic rations like rice, pulses, jaggery and kerosene for relief purposes, if necessary.

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MAJOR CYCLONES IN INDIA