Odisha, Gujarat Strengthen Disaster Management Capacity-Building Ties
Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Gujarat have agreed to deepen cooperation in disaster management, emergency preparedness, and capacity building, marking a significant step towards strengthening disaster resilience in both states.
A high-level Odisha delegation led by Suresh Pujari, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, visited Gujarat to study best practices and explore avenues for collaboration in disaster risk reduction and response.
The delegation included senior officials from the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
During the visit, the delegation toured key institutions, including the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM), and the Smrutivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum in Bhuj.
The interactions provided valuable insights into Gujarat’s disaster preparedness systems, training mechanisms, and post-disaster rehabilitation strategies.
The Odisha team also held discussions with Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, focusing on cooperation in disaster mitigation, technological innovation, institutional strengthening, and community-based preparedness initiatives.
Both states emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange, joint training programmes, technical workshops, exposure visits, and mock drills to enhance disaster response capabilities.
The collaboration is expected to facilitate the sharing of best practices and improve emergency management frameworks in both states.
Officials noted that Odisha’s globally recognised expertise in cyclone management and Gujarat’s extensive experience in earthquake preparedness and rehabilitation offer complementary strengths that can contribute significantly to national disaster risk reduction efforts.
The visit reflects a growing commitment by both states to build resilient communities and strengthen institutional capacities to effectively address future disasters through cooperation and innovation.
