Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday launched the early warning dissemination system (EWDS) and the mass message system to inform people in advance of impending calamities on the occasion of Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day.
The system is the first of its kind automatic public address system in the country to alert the general people about the possible cyclone, tsunami and others, official sources said.
Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day is observed every year on October 29, the day on which super cyclone hit the state and killed over 10,000 people.
The EWDS will help to warn the vast population residing along the coast in the state from the state headquarters through alert siren system from towers installed at 122 locations.
The towers have been placed at a distance of 1.5 km approximately from the coastline.
Patnaik also offered condolences to human lives lost in the recent landslide and heavy rains in the state.
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No state in the country faces natural disaster with as much frequency as Odisha. Almost every year we have some form of natural calamity. In spite of that Odisha marches ahead maintaining a growth rate higher than the countrys. This exemplifies the resilience of our people and I am inspired and humbled by it, Pataik said.
The chief minister also expressed his gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly beyond the call of duty to make sure that people living in vulnerable areas of the coastline from Ganjam to Balasore were evacuated to safety during Cyclone Titli earlier this month.
More than three lakh people were evacuated in less than 24 hours and nearly Rs 1300 crore have been provided for relief and restoration, the chief minister said.
Patnaik lauded the Odisha Disaster Preparedness System for the low casualty during the calamity.
Drawing parallels between the very severe Cyclone Titli and Super Cyclone of 1999, Patnaik said some more work is needed to be done in areas of precision forecast and vulnerability mapping, especially of interior areas where there was loss of lives and property in recent calamities.
Patnaik pointed out that for the first time in Odisha. a landslide incident killed people in Gajapati district and said vulnerability mapping will be done and steps taken at hilltop villages wherever required.
The chief minister also appreciated the departments concerned for quick restoration of water, electricity and essential services in the afternath of cyclone Titli.