Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Odisha Signs MoUs to Build Data-Driven Disaster Management
Odisha has made two agreements to improve how it prepares for disasters.
The agreements are with the United Nations Development Programme and CivicDataLab.
The goal is to use accurate data, science and technology before disasters happen.
UNDP will help study dangers and weaknesses in all 30 districts.
In 10 coastal districts, information will be collected from villages.
In the other 20 districts, information will be collected from gram panchayats.
This information will be used to create digital maps and district risk atlases.
Officials say the work will help Odisha become safer, more resilient and closer to its goal of zero casualties.
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority signed MoUs with UNDP and CivicDataLab.
The partnerships aim to improve disaster risk assessment, preparedness and grassroots decision-making.
UNDP will support a hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment across all 30 districts.
Village-level data will be collected in 10 coastal districts, while 20 others will be assessed at gram panchayat level.
CivicDataLab will help develop a Digital Public Infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in Odisha.
- Who
- The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, the United Nations Development Programme, and CivicDataLab; the agreements were witnessed by Suresh Pujari, Angela Lusigi and Gaurav Godhwani.
- What
- They signed MoUs to make Odisha’s disaster management system more data-driven, scientific and technology-enabled.
- When
- Wednesday.
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Why
- To strengthen disaster risk assessment, preparedness, anticipatory action and evidence-based decision-making, supporting Odisha’s goal of zero casualties.
- Organizations involved
- Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, United Nations Development Programme and CivicDataLab
- Assessment coverage
- All 30 districts of Odisha
- Village-level data
- Data will be collected in 10 coastal districts vulnerable to cyclones and floods
- Gram panchayat-level data
- The remaining 20 districts will be assessed at the gram panchayat level
- Digital platform
- UNDP partnership data will support a dynamic, GIS-enabled platform and district-level risk atlases
- CivicDataLab partnership
- A non-financial MoU will support Digital Public Infrastructure for Disaster Risk Reduction
- State goal
- Building a safer, more resilient and climate-ready Odisha while pursuing zero casualties