The Odisha government has made the decision to set up 360-degree security cameras along its coast to strengthen weather surveillance networks, Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced on Thursday.
Pujari noted that the state was recently hit by simultaneous flooding across in several rivers, including Mahanadi, Salandi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Devi, and Jalaka.
“Such concurrent rising of multiple river networks highlights shifting weather patterns and the impacts of climate change,” he remarked.
The minister stated that the state government will upgrade all 122 Early Warning System towers installed along Odisha’s 573-kilometre coastline by equipping them with 360-degree monitoring cameras.
“These installations will also be enhanced using satellite-powered communication links,” he noted further.
Pujari explained that the state is enhancing communication networks throughout all 314 blocks by linking high-speed network systems with the main control facility to streamline emergency operations.
“Senior officials of the department have already visited Goa and Kerala to study their advanced early warning systems and disaster management practices,” he said.
“The Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur has become operational, while new radars at Balasore and Bhubaneswar are expected to be commissioned shortly. Repair and upgradation of the existing radars at Gopalpur and Paradip are underway, and another Doppler Weather Radar will soon be installed at Puri,” he added.
Pujari emphasized that when these Doppler Weather Radars are all fully functional, meteorological predictions in Odisha will see a marked increase in precision and reliability.
He mentioned that state government has additionally committed to reinforcing reservoir management, water conservation, river water allocation and drainage management.
“Water regulation across river systems will also be improved through computerised monitoring and closer coordination with neighbouring states such as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand,” he said.
The minister said that the administration has approved Rs 35 crore for the Forest Department to plant palm trees in agricultural fields as part of its strategy to reduce deaths caused by lightning strikes.
He added that discussions were conducted regarding the use of cutting-edge technology to address urban flooding during downpours, noting that the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has teamed up with IIT Roorkee to begin this initiative.
Addressing current flood situation, Pujari said that while water levels have dropped across various rivers, they stay elevated in multiple areas.
District administration in affected districts has been instructed to submit detailed damage assessment reports by 5 pm on Friday, he said.
Pujari said a review meeting with senior officials, district collectors, block development officers and tahasildars from the affected districts will soon be held to discuss mitigation measures, repair of breached embankments, desiltation and deepening of river channels, among others.
