(OT Webdesk)Odisha demonstrated its commitment to disaster preparedness with a two-day statewide simulation exercise conducted on June 18–19, 2025.
Spearheaded by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the event covered all 30 districts, reinforcing community resilience and inter-agency coordination.
The exercise commenced with Table Top drills at district headquarters, blocks, and Urban Local Bodies.
These sessions brought together officials from key departments, elected representatives, NDRF, ODRAF, and NGOs.
They collaboratively mapped response strategies for calamities like cyclones, floods, landslides, and tsunamis, refining roles and enhancing coordination protocols.
On June 19, over 900 Multipurpose Cyclone and Flood Shelters hosted ground-level mock drills.
Triggered by simulated bulletins from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these activities tested evacuation readiness and real-time communication efficiency.
Local residents, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, SHGs, Aapdamitras, and Task Force Volunteers participated alongside professional rescue units.
Officials from SRC, OSDMA, and the IMD Bhubaneswar Regional Centre meticulously coordinated the exercise.
Their objective: to assess operational readiness, identify systemic gaps, and strengthen Odisha’s reputation as a global leader in community-centric disaster resilience.
As Odisha contends with increasingly frequent climate threats, this annual drill serves as a vital tool to reinforce trust, improve emergency mechanisms, and safeguard lives across diverse terrains.
