Bhubaneswar, 09 October (H.S.): Odisha’s disaster management model continues to draw academic interest, with students from within and outside the state visiting the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to study its disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

As part of an educational visit, a group of 40 students from Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, visited OSDMA to gain insights into the state’s disaster management practices and learn from its experience in handling natural disasters.

During the interaction, Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra, Advisor to OSDMA, briefed the students on Odisha’s transformation in disaster management since the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999. He highlighted the state’s key initiatives in early warning systems, disaster preparedness, evacuation planning, community participation and the application of modern technology and data for effective disaster response.

Emphasising the importance of practical experience and lessons learnt from past disasters, Dr. Mishra encouraged the students to pursue research in disaster management and explore the role of emerging technologies in reducing disaster risks.

The visit aimed to strengthen students’ understanding of disaster preparedness and response while encouraging young people to contribute to building a safer and more disaster-resilient society.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda