Odisha to strengthen infra to tackle natural disasters: Majhi

TAKING lessons from its first disaster management experience during Cyclone Dana, the state government has decided to expand and revamp the multipurpose cyclone shelters while strengthening infrastructure and increasing trained manpower pool to deal with natural calamities in future.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced that as many as 844 existing multipurpose cyclone shelters will be reconstructed and converted into schools-cum-shelters. The cyclone shelters will function as schools in normal times so that the administration does not have to struggle for providing facilities like electricity and drinking water during natural disasters.

Majhi also said the number of ODRAF teams will be increased from 20 to 30 while a state-of-the-art Natural Disaster Management Centre will soon come up in the state for training personnel.