State has been successful to manage major calamities

Bishnupada Sethi is currently the Special Relief Commissioner and Head of Disaster Management in addition to being Higher Education Department Secretary in the State. He joined the Indian Administrative Services of Odisha Cadre after his MTech in Industrial Engineering from a reputed national institute at Mumbai. His engineering skills and ingenuity perfectly match with his adroitness to provide the desired leadership in the realm of disaster management. Under his effective leadership through grassroots-level capacity building, decentralised decision making, effective use of technology and building institutions responsive to disasters, Odisha has emerged as the pioneering State and has earned worldwide recognition in capacity building  to handle multiple disasters. Having climbed successfully the hierarchical ladder, he has reached the current important position. He has headed various organisations bringing about meaningful changes by focusing on quality, effectiveness, sound financial discipline and leadership. He has earlier served as Secretary to many other departments. During his days as Collector in KBK, he received appreciation from the National Human Rights Commission for taking effective steps to improve the systems for people’s benefit. He received the International Star for Leadership in Quality (ISLQ) award in Paris in 2015. The Institute of Economic Studies has conferred upon  him the coveted Udyog Ratan Award. He bagged the President’s silver for successfully conducting the 2011 Census in Odisha. He was also Programme Coordinator for the UNDP. He was given Bhima Bhoi award as an exponent of the Mahima philosophy. The NIT Rourkela proclaimed him as a Star Alumni. He spends his leisure being moved by poetic frenzy and composing poems that have received wide acclaim. His poetry volumes include “Where shall I go”, “My world of words” and “Beyond Feelings” which have been translated into other Indian languages. In an interview to The Pioneer, Sethi spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on the challenging jobs of  disaster management coupled with meticulously designed solutions.

How is the State Government prepared to meet a situation arising out of an unprecedented flood?

After the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, the State Government has initiated several measures to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and protect lives and properties of people. There is a paradigm shift from a relief-centric approach to planning, preparedness and prevention in disaster management. As a result of improved preparedness, the State has been able to successfully manage the major calamities like the floods of 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2011, the drought of 2010, 2011 and 2015 and the Phailin of 2013 and the Hudhud of 2014.  Odisha is now considered a leading State in disaster management. As many as 879 multipurpose cyclone/ flood shelters have been constructed. An ‘Early Warning Communication System’ is being implemented under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project under which five layers of communications such as satellite-based mobile data voice terminals, Digital Mobile Radio, Mass Messaging, Alert Siren System and Universal Communication Interface will soon be available in the six coastal districts as well as at the State headquarters for disaster management. Floods being a regular feature in the State and being seasonal, important preparedness activities include closing of past breaches in embankments, identifying and strengthening the vulnerable points on embankments and prepositioning of flood fighting materials, storage of food in inaccessible interior areas, advance arrangement for supply of dry food and other essential relief materials, deployment of boats at strategic points, identifying flood shelters and keeping them ready with basic arrangements, installation of temporary police VHF in flood-prone areas, organising relief parties and providing training in relief work and so on. To assess the preparedness of the administration, a mock drill on management of flood and cyclone is conducted on June 19 every year in all districts. The District Disaster Management Authority chaired by the Collector reviews the activities. At the State level, the Special Relief Commissioner conducts two meetings to review the preparedness by the districts and the departments, respectively. The Central Government agencies like India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission also participate in these meetings At the end, the State-level committee on natural calamities chaired by the Chief Minister conducts a review in June. The Leader of Opposition, MLAs, MPs and the Chief Secretary and other senior officers are members of this committee.

How the administration at the bottom level is readied to combat any eventuality of cyclone or heavy rain?

The flood-vulnerable villages have been identified and a plan is in place to evacuate people in case of any emergency arising out of flood. In addition to the flood/ cyclone shelters, other temporary shelters have also been identified and basic planning has already been made for sheltering people. Nearly 300 power boats of SRC are positioned in districts. Besides, the district authorities have also enumerated private boats to be used for emergency relief distribution at the time of flood. Temporary VHF stations have been established by the police in accessible flood-prone areas not covered by telecommunication. All preparedness measures for health and hygiene, veterinary, agriculture, drinking water, etc., have been taken by the district and block administrations. Fire Service units are in readiness for immediate response. Besides the district administrations are in contact with the SRC office for all necessary logistics for deployment of ODRAF and NDRF if need arises. Coordination with NGOs and voluntary organisations has been made by the districts.

Is the Budget adequate enough to tackle the probable calamities?

As per provisions of the Disaster Management Act-2005, there is a State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The Central Government contributes 75% of this fund and the balance 25% share is given by the State Government. The SDRF corpus for the current financial year 2018-19 is Rs 865 crore. In case of flood or any other disaster specified by the Central or the State Government, the available SDRF will be utilised first for relief, rehabilitation, payment of ex-gratia and immediate restoration activities. In case of a disaster of a severe nature, if  the SDRF is insufficient to meet the relief requirements, additional funds will be sought from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) following the laid-down procedure.

Which are the human taskforces and what would be their role in the event of a calamity?

Odisha Fire Service: Immediate search and rescue operations based on the call received from the field. Draining of water from the waterlogged areas. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF): In case of flood or any other calamity of severe nature ODRAF units are deputed based on need. Their basic role will be for search and rescue of people stranded in disaster situation. Post disaster, they will also ensure that the relief lines are cleared for emergency supplies. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):  To be mobilised by the SRC office based on requirement. Their basic role is for search and rescue of people stranded in disaster situation. Armed Forces & CAPFs: In case calamity of severe nature and if need arises, services of Armed Forces and CAPF will be requisitioned through the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their role will be search and rescue of people stranded in disaster situation. For airdropping for relief materials by helicopters, the help of Indian Air Force is generally sought. Community/ Shelter Level Task Forces (TFs): They will be the first responders to any disaster situation. Their basic role is to help the vulnerable community in evacuation to cyclone/ flood shelters, conducting search and rescue and rendering basic first aid to the affected community. They will also assist the Disaster Response Forces and Medical Teams in disaster situations as per need. Civil Defence (CD)/ Indian Red Cross/ St John and Other Volunteer Based Organisations: Trained and organised volunteers of these organisations also assist the administration in carrying out different relief activities. Panchayati Raj Institutions: Above all, the members of Panchayati Raj Institutions actively participate in the entire activities at the ground level.