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By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 29, 2021: Odisha, which has emerged as a role model in handling disaster management, is conducting a 3-day disaster management training camp for the representative of nine States and four Union Territories.

Twenty-two representatives from Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Delhi and Dadra Nagar Haveli have participated in the camp.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Of Administration has selected Odisha to teach the nuances of disaster management as the State has lots of experience in the domain.

The training camp is held at the Ramachandi coast of Konark in the Puri district. The experts of OSDMA will teach the techniques of rescue operations and how to clear a road after a disaster.

The eastern state, virtually the capital of natural disasters, has come a long way to meticulously paln ad implement techniques of disaster management ensuing minimal causalities. Chief Minister Naveen Pantiak, who took over the reins of the battered state in the aftermath of a Super Cyclone that killed some 10,000 people had been pressing for zero causalities due to natural disasters.

After the Super Cyclone, Odisha has formed Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the first in the country. In 2005, the Union government formed The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The state’s success in disaster management is attributed to the proper planning and programmes, relief and rescue operations, post-disaster and the livelihood of affected people. The United Nations has also praised Odisha’s disaster management.

The state has faced eight cyclonic storms since the 1999 Super Cyclone. The State government has successfully managed the Cyclone Phailin, Hudhud, Titili, FANI, Bulbul, Amphan, Yaas and Gulab. Odisha has also introduced disaster and pandemic preparedness as a part of the curriculum at the schools and colleges. Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik always emphasises zero causality and directs to take appropriate steps to save life and property.