Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched India's first automatic Early Warning Dissemination System (EDWS) on Monday.
The inauguration coincided with Odisha Government observing Disaster Preparedness Day. On this day, 19 years ago, the state was left devastated by "Super Cyclone" in 1999.
In total 122 alert towers have been set up under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) along the coastal line of Odisha to give early warning on the risk in impending natural calamities like tsunami, cyclone and flood.
During the launch, Patnaik also announced the programme for preparations of Village Disaster Management Plans (VDMPs) in 7000 villages in the first phase to build resilient community and to undertake a study on the vulnerability of landslides in Gajapati district of Odisha for taking preventive measures against loss of lives and property due to disasters in future.
Other than EDWS, NCRMP also includes satellite-based mobile data voice by terminals (SBMDVT), digital mobile radio (DMR), a mass messaging system to be operated from the state emergency operation centre and a universal communication interface to allow interoperability among different communication technologies.
While addressing the mass gathering at the launch, CM appreciated the work done by response forces, government officials, non-government organizations and volunteers in rescue operations during Cyclone Titli and subsequent floods.
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