1999 Super Cyclone Remembered

Bhubaneswar: On Disaster Preparedness Day and National Day for Disaster Reduction, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday remembered the loss of lives in 1999 Super Cyclone.

He highlighted State Government’s efforts towards proactive, community-based and tech-backed disaster management strategy to protect lives, livelihoods, and assets of people in the state.

He said Odisha Disaster Management Authority has been created to improve disaster preparedness and response standards through the creation of disaster-resistant infrastructure.

He said construction of 879 cyclone/flood shelter buildings and about 17,000 houses for Phailin affected people of Ganjam and Khurda has been undertaken.

He said the state government has constructed 571 houses at Bagpatia rehabilitation site for sea erosion affected people of Satabhaya in Kendrapara district and 243 shelter connectivity roads covering 390 km and 12 saline embankments covering 58 km.

Chief Minister thanked volunteers, ODRAF, NDRF, Fire Service, Armed Forces, and all officials engaged in relief and rescue operations. He also thanked Cyclone Shelter Management and Maintenance Committees, PRI and Community members, NGOs, Indian Red Cross Society and UN Agencies for their cooperation and service in managing disasters in the state.