Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday reviewed its preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season and directed all departments to remain on high alert to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the state.
Chairing the State-Level Natural Disaster Committee Meeting 2026, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said protecting the lives and livelihoods of Odisha’s people remains the government’s top priority.
He reviewed the overall administrative readiness for the monsoon and instructed departments to ensure coordinated and timely response mechanisms.
In a detailed post on X, the CM noted that Odisha continues to face multiple natural disaster risks because of its geographical location and the growing impact of climate change. However, he said the state’s proactive disaster management strategy and its “Zero Casualty” policy have emerged as a globally recognised model.
According to him, Odisha’s disaster preparedness efforts were recently appreciated by member nations during the BRICS Summit held in Puri.
Highlighting the government’s response to recent floods, unseasonal rainfall, and Cyclone Montha, Majhi said the administration acted swiftly to mitigate the impact of the disasters. He added that financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund was provided to affected residents and farmers on a war footing.
With concerns over possible El Niño conditions this year, the state government has intensified efforts to protect Kharif crops. A state-level monitoring mechanism has been put in place, while monitoring committees will be formed at the panchayat level. District collectors have been assigned direct responsibility to prevent black marketing of fertilisers and seeds and to ensure adequate availability of agricultural inputs.
The government is also focusing on the maintenance and upkeep of multipurpose cyclone shelters, the timely dissemination of alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol-based SMS system, and strengthening the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Services.
To counter misinformation during emergencies, Majhi stressed the need for disseminating accurate and timely information through social media platforms. He also called for stronger inter-departmental coordination under a “Whole of Government” approach to ensure effective disaster response and management.
