3 weeks ago
Odisha Government Unveils Blueprint to Upgrade Early Warning Systems
Odisha is a state in India that sometimes faces big storms, floods, and lightning.
The state government wants to make better warning systems so people know when danger is coming.
Right now, there are 122 warning towers along the coast, and many have sirens and speakers.
The government plans to replace old systems with newer, faster technology.
Officials visited Goa and Kerala to learn how those states warn people about disasters.
The new towers will have cameras that see all around and better ways to send messages.
Weather radar machines help predict storms, and Odisha is getting new ones and fixing old ones.
The government is also paying for palm trees in farm fields, which can help protect people from lightning.
Leaders talked about managing rivers and floods better to keep people safe.
All these changes are meant to warn people earlier and save lives.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced a blueprint to upgrade the state's early warning system for faster, more effective disaster alerts.
Odisha currently has 122 early warning systems along roughly 573 kilometres of coastline, including 40 large siren towers installed since 2017.
The towers will be modernised with 360-degree surveillance cameras, satellite telecommunication systems, and high-speed communication linked to a central control room across all 314 blocks.
The Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur is operational, with new radars planned at Balasore, Bhubaneswar, and Puri and upgrades underway at Gopalpur and Paradip.
The government sanctioned Rs 35 crore for palm tree plantation to reduce lightning-related deaths and reviewed flood management, water regulation, and urban waterlogging measures.
Senior officials visited Goa and Kerala to study their advanced early warning systems and best practices.
- Who
- Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Suresh Pujari and senior state government officials.
- What
- A blueprint to upgrade Odisha's early warning system with modernised towers, new Doppler weather radars, and satellite-based communications.
- Where
- Odisha, India, along its roughly 573-kilometre coastline and at radar sites including Sambalpur, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Gopalpur, Paradip, and Puri.
- When
- Announced on Thursday, following a high-level review meeting chaired by the minister.
- Why
- To provide faster and more effective alerts about impending disasters and strengthen disaster preparedness amid changing weather patterns and climate change.
Key facts
- Current early warning systems
- 122 installed since 2017
- Coastal coverage
- ~573 kilometres
- Large siren towers
- 40
- Blocks to be connected
- 314
- Radar status
- Sambalpur operational; Balasore and Bhubaneswar to be commissioned; Gopalpur and Paradip under repair; Puri new
- Funds for palm tree plantation
- Rs 35 crore to the Forest Department
- Best-practice study visits
- Goa and Kerala
- Urban waterlogging partner
- Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation with IIT Roorkee
Quotes
Suresh Pujari
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister
“The Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur has already become operational, while the proposed radars at Balasore and Bhubaneswar will be commissioned shortly. Repair and upgradation of the existing Doppler Weather Radars at Gopalpur and Paradip are also underway. In addition, a new Doppler Weather Radar will be established at Puri.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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