Odisha Proposes 800 New Cyclone and Flood Shelters for Disaster-Prone Districts

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has proposed the construction of 800 new cyclone and flood shelters to bolster disaster preparedness across the state’s vulnerable regions. The announcement was made by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari while he spoke with media on Thursday.

Pujari, currently in New Delhi, said he had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking central support for the initiative. “Odisha frequently faces natural calamities like cyclones and floods. To ensure people’s safety, we have proposed building 800 additional multi-purpose shelters,” he said.

The shelters will be strategically located near schools in coastal and high-risk areas. Designed to serve as safe havens during emergencies, they will also be used for educational and community activities during normal times.“This dual-purpose design will ensure the infrastructure is well-maintained and actively used, even when there’s no disaster,” Pujari added.

Odisha already has a well-established network of cyclone shelters developed after the 1999 super cyclone. These shelters have proven critical during major events like Phailin (2013), Fani (2019), and Yaas (2021). The new proposal aims to expand coverage, especially along Odisha’s 480-km coastline and other disaster-prone zones.