Know how one state turned its biggest tragedy into its greatest strength:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Odisha on Red Alert : Once again there is an atmosphere of fear and panic in the coastal areas of Odisha. Those terrible memories of the ‘Maha Cyclone’ that struck 26 years ago, which shook the entire state, have become fresh again. This time this fear has a name Cyclonic storm ‘Montha’which is rapidly moving towards the coast of Odisha. In view of its dangerous form, the Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings in many districts. ‘Red Alert’ Has been issued and the state government has started preparations on war footing.

This storm is reminiscent of the month of October, when the ‘Super Cyclone’ of 1999 had shown such a scene of devastation in Odisha, which people have not been able to forget even today.

What was that ‘great disaster’ of 1999?

October 29, 1999… This is a dark day in the history of Odisha, when a super cyclone wreaked havoc in the state. At that time, there was neither a modern warning system like today nor any special preparation to deal with the disaster. The result was that winds of more than 250 kilometers per hour and huge sea waves destroyed everything.

According to government figures, more than 10,000 people lost their lives in this disaster and lakhs of people were rendered homeless. There was no electricity, no means of communication. For several days it was not even known how much damage had been caused in which area. It was one of India’s worst natural disasters, which devastated Odisha.

How prepared is Odisha today to learn from the wounds of 1999?

That great disaster taught Odisha a lesson which it made its strength. Today Odisha has set an example across the world in dealing with disasters like cyclones. There is a huge difference between 1999 and today’s Odisha:

1. Goal of ‘Zero Casualty’: After the 1999 disaster, the state government adopted a policy of ‘zero casualties’ (zero deaths). Now every storm is faced with the aim that no human being should die.
2. Advanced Warning System: Today Odisha has a strong network of satellite and Doppler radar, which gives accurate information about the arrival of any storm 3-4 days in advance. People are warned in time through SMS, TV, radio and sirens.
3. Network of cyclone shelters: More than 800 multi-purpose cyclone shelters have been set up throughout the coastal areas of the state. In these shelters, arrangements for accommodation, food and medical facilities are made for lakhs of people.
4. Promptness of NDRF and ODRAF: The state’s own Special Disaster Response Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deployed in vulnerable areas well in advance of the storm’s arrival. They are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and are experts in relief and rescue work.

Government’s current preparations regarding ‘Montha’

Odisha government is on full alert mode in view of the threat of ‘Montha’:

• Collectors of coastal districts have been instructed to safely evacuate people from low-lying areas.
• 12 teams of NDRF and more than 20 teams of ODRAF have been deployed.
• Fishermen have been given a strict warning not to go into the sea until further orders.
• Leaves of government employees in sensitive districts have been cancelled.

Even though the threat of ‘Montha’ may be bringing back memories of 1999, today’s Odisha has learned from that tragedy and stands ready to face this new challenge as a strong and confident state.