The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), in collaboration with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), inaugurated a two-day consultation workshop titled “Future Risk, Preparedness and Resilience in Odisha – Strengthening Thought Leadership Towards a 10-Year Strategic Outlook under Vision 2036 & 2047” at a city hotel here on Thursday.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, said Odisha’s disaster management model is globally acclaimed. He stressed that through collective and coordinated efforts, the state aims to effectively counter disasters at every step.“Through our united efforts, we will be able to prevent and mitigate disasters repeatedly on Odisha’s soil,” the Minister remarked.
The event was also attended by Rita Mishal, Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Managing Director of OSDMA; Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra, Executive Director; Susmita Behera, Executive Director; and Dr. Mona Chhabra Anand, Unit Head of ADPC, along with senior government officials and representatives from national and international organisations.
Participants, including senior bureaucrats, experts, and representatives from various organisations, engaged in in-depth discussions on emerging disaster risks, climate change challenges, and strategies to enhance Odisha’s resilience over the next decade. They highlighted the state’s notable successes in early warning systems, pre-disaster preparedness, community-based disaster management, and timely information dissemination.
Speakers emphasised the need to further strengthen these systems in view of new challenges arising from climate change, rapid urbanisation, and shifting social dynamics. They also underscored the future role of the proposed State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) in providing training and building community capacity.
The workshop featured technical sessions, expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A on key themes such as future risk assessment, use of technology, institutional strengthening, economic resilience, and community participation. All discussions were aligned with the broader development goals of “Vision 2036” and “Vision 2047” for Odisha.A major objective of the consultation is to develop the State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for training, research, and knowledge creation in disaster management.
Participants expressed confidence that the outcomes of this two-day deliberation will significantly contribute to future policy formulation, capacity building, and preparedness, ultimately ensuring the safety and resilience of all communities in Odisha.
