Odisha government is planning to create mangrove forests in areas affected by Cyclone ‘Dana’

Such a statement has come from Suresh Pujari, Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management. The statement came after cyclone ‘Dana’ wreaked havoc on several parts of Odisha resulting in trees uprooting, demolition of homes, flash floods as well as loss of lives.

To avoid such scenario in future, the Odisha government has started to plan ahead with multiple ideas of works shaping up.

“Homework has begun to avoid such scenarios in the future,” stated Suresh Pujari. “A discussion has taken place with experts,” he added.

Odisha is not new to such calamities. And history is witness that Odisha had dealt with far more threatening scenarios in the past with the Super Cyclone in 1999 topping the list.

It’s been 25 years since the Super Cyclone, Odisha has faced many natural disasters, but not like the 1999 calamity.

If we rate such cyclones Odisha had to deal with, then 1999 Super Cyclone will be on the top of the list. It will be followed by Philin in 2013, Fani in 2019, Hudhud in 2014, Amphan in 2020, Titli in 2018 and Yaas in 2021.

To counter such disasters in the future, “Odisha government is planning to create mangrove forests in cyclone ‘Dana’ affected areas,” stated the Disaster Management Minister.

Suresh Pujari has also said that every calamity gives us a lesson. “We should learn from those lessons and ensure that doesn’t happen, at least not on a large scale,” asserted Pujari.

He also compared the time when a cyclone had hit the state in 1999. “We are not in a stage where we were in 1999. We overcame that disaster but paid a hefty price,” said the Revenue Minister.

“However, currently we are developed. We have capable teams like ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), Fire Brigades as well as police. Their contributions during the time of such calamities are incomparable,” explained Suresh Pujari.

He said that the government is focusing on “zero casualties” act. “Media is helping us a lot in this regard as they bring the issues, people are facing, into the light. It is helping us take necessary steps to counter those issues,” said Pujari.

Suresh Pujari gave his reaction after visiting a Photo Exhibition at the Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.

The photo exhibition, named ‘Disaster In Lense’, was organized by photojournalist Atulya Mohanty. Suresh Pujari inaugurated the exhibition, which showcased the pictures, including the damages, flash floods, and people who suffered, from recently-hit cyclones in Odisha.