After 2013, UN again praises Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik for disaster management
Syrapy; The UN had praised him in 2013 for his strategy of disaster management during cyclone Phailin
By Team Newsfile
Bhubaneswar, June 1: The UN praises Odisha for its “well-resourced disaster management authority”. Chief of the UN office of disaster risk reduction, Mami Mizutori is all praises for the Indian state.
In an interview, Mizutori was quoted saying, “Odisha’s example gives important lessons on strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in preparedness and scenario planning while spreading a greater understanding of disaster risk.”
Odisha did it again
Time and again, this coastal state has shown how to effectively battle natural calamities and prepare the state from greater disasters.
This is not the first time that the UN had lauded the CM of Odisha. In 2013, the UN had earlier praised Odisha chief minister for his strategy of disaster management during cyclone Phailin.
Praising Patnaik, Mizutori said that the Odisha CM has provided the political commitment necessary to build a robust and well-resourced disaster management authority. “In 1999, some 10,000 people died on the Odisha coastline and that has never been repeated,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office tweeted, “Odisha’s disaster management model has received global acclaim again as @UNDRR Chief Mami Mizutori lauded CM @Naveen_Odisha’s leadership towards creating a world-class mechanism & framework to mitigate natural disasters.”
Naveen Patnaik leaves PM Modi impressed
During the Cyclone Yaas, which ravaged North coastal Odisha, parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal, around 7 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable locations in Bhadrak, Balasore, a couple of other districts. PM Modi has announced financial assistance worth ₹500 crore to Odisha for the relief and restoration work for Cyclone Yaas.
This despite the fact that the Odisha CM was not seeking any immediate financial assistance as he wanted to avoid burdening the central government amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Patnaik expressed gratitude to the PM for visiting Odisha in the aftermath of Cyclone Yaas. The chief minister said that Odisha will manage through its own resources to tide over the crisis.
“As the country is at the peak of #COVID19 pandemic, we have not sought any immediate financial assistance to burden the Central Govt and would like to manage it through our own resources to tide over the crisis,” Patnaik had tweeted.
After the havoc caused by Cyclone Yaas, heavy post- cyclone rains on Thursday had seen river water levels rising above the danger mark, placing four districts of Odisha – Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Keonjhar – on high alert. The Prime Minister recently arrived in Odisha and held a review meeting with Patnaik on Cyclone Yaas. He also conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-affected areas in both Odisha and West Bengal.
No halt in Odisha’s oxygen supply
Despite being hit by Cyclone Yaas, the Odisha government has ensured the uninterrupted supply of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) which is required by several states where the cases of Covid-19 are still high. The state government officials said that the uninterrupted supply of LMO was due to proper planning by the government.
YK Jethwa, ADG Law and Order of Odisha police said, “Advanced planning was done and standard operating procedure was prepared for ensuring unhindered Oxygen movement, while ensuring the safety of oxygen production centres, tankers, drivers and other staff.” Jethwa said that each tanker was moved under close supervision and escort of Odisha Police.Attachments area