Odisha’s climate resilience and disaster preparedness in focus at public discourse

Odisha’s evolving approach to climate resilience and disaster preparedness took centre stage at the 20th edition of Odisha Manaska, a public discourse organised by Bhubaneswar-based think tank All Things Odisha, where experts and participants deliberated on the State’s preparedness for climate-induced disasters and the challenges posed by climate change.

The session, titled “Odisha at the Climate Crossroads: Perspectives & Perceptions,” featured Meghanad Behera, State Project Manager, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and independent climate journalist Rakhi Ghosh, who shared insights on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and community resilience.

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Behera highlighted Odisha’s transformation into a national leader in disaster management since the 1999 Super Cyclone, attributing it to a multi-hazard, community-centric approach. He outlined the State’s preparedness not only for cyclones and floods but also for drought, heatwaves, lightning, human-wildlife conflict, snakebites and industrial, chemical and radiological emergencies. He emphasised that Odisha’s strategy now focuses on strengthening resilience from the household level to ensure communities are better equipped to respond to disasters.

Drawing from her field reporting, Ghosh spoke about the human impact of climate-induced disasters, sharing stories of vulnerable communities grappling with displacement, livelihood loss and prolonged recovery. She stressed the need to amplify grassroots voices in climate policymaking and disaster response.

Participants discussed public perceptions of Odisha’s disaster management framework, while Behera addressed common misconceptions and explained the State’s preparedness mechanisms. The deliberations also underscored the importance of inclusive disaster planning, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised communities.

The discussion was moderated by Sandip Bal and Sonali Priyadarsini and attended by heritage researcher Anil Dhir, activist Sarita Barpanda, development professionals and college students.

Launched in August 2024, Odisha Manaska is a public dialogue platform that promotes discussions on contemporary social and developmental issues by bringing together experts and citizens to exchange ideas and lived experiences.