Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure the state’s preparedness during natural disasters, Odisha Cheif Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday held a virtual meeting of the Natural Disaster Management Committee.
In this meeting, the Odisha CM emphasized on community participation in handling natural calamities. He also said that the state has to manage all issues regarding the natural disaster with an approach “Every life is important.”
Speaking on this occasion, Patnaik said,” We had to face the challenge of Cyclone Fani in May 2019. Since then over the last 2 years, we have been continuously dealing with the devastating impact of the cyclones and the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a period of unprecedented crisis and we are trying our best to protect our people.”
“The time has come for us to create a massive knowledge infrastructure in the state that will make everyone a warrior. We have to fight against the situation in a very proactive manner and community participation is one the key criteria to deal with the emergencies and how to respond to situations where the outcome cannot be predicted,” the Chief Minister said.
“We need an adequate amount of money to make ourselves strong against any disaster and regarding this, several times we have approached the central government. As we faced severe cyclones like Amhan and Yaas in consecutive years, we need special treatment from centre. Now, the southwest monsoon is in full swing in Odisha and we have to prepare for the floods and other disasters related to this. We have to be fully prepared to face any situation by reviewing our preparedness system to tackle disasters,” Patnaik said.
“Community participation in disaster management is paramount. From now on, every high school and college student will learn about disaster and pandemic management as part of the curriculum. The state will also train its employees on the fundamental nature of different kinds of disasters and pandemic management. Disaster and pandemic management will be in the government recruitment syllabus as well,” he said.
“Besides, the government will train members of Mission Shakti groups, Vana Surakya Samitis, and other community-based organisations and equip them with the knowledge required to manage disasters and pandemics,’ he added.
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