Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to strengthen its disaster preparedness with technology and ground-level risk data, with the state disaster management authority entering into separate partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CivicDataLab to improve risk assessment, forecasting and emergency decision-making.
The two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre on Tuesday, seek to move the state’s disaster management framework further towards anticipatory action, scientific assessment and real-time data-based response.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the nature of disasters and emerging climate risks required authorities to prepare in advance rather than rely solely on response mechanisms once a calamity strikes.
“Data-driven decision-making is critical for saving lives and protecting property while also enabling more effective and far-reaching development planning,” Pujari said, adding that the collaborations would further strengthen Odisha’s disaster management ecosystem.
Risk assessment to cover all 30 districts
A key component of the OSDMA-UNDP partnership will be a comprehensive Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) covering all 30 districts of Odisha.
The assessment will go down to the village level in 10 coastal districts particularly vulnerable to cyclones and floods. In the remaining 20 districts, information will be collected at the Gram Panchayat level.
The data will subsequently be integrated into a dynamic, GIS-enabled digital platform that can be updated periodically as disaster and climate risks evolve. The system is expected to generate district-level risk atlases and provide a stronger evidence base for disaster mitigation, preparedness and long-term development planning.
The initiative will also help authorities identify vulnerabilities more systematically and strengthen climate-resilience measures at the local level.
Pujari said UNDP’s experience in disaster risk reduction, community resilience, preparedness and capacity building would add significant value to Odisha’s ongoing efforts.
Digital platform to connect disaster-related data
The partnership with CivicDataLab will focus on creating a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Disaster Risk Reduction in the state.
Under the collaboration, CivicDataLab will deploy its Intelligent Data Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDS-DRR) platform to bring together information from multiple government departments. The platform will provide OSDMA and District Disaster Management Authorities with real-time dashboards and analytical insights.
The first phase will prioritise three major risk areas—riverine flooding, coastal flooding and heatwaves. By bringing fragmented datasets together and presenting them in a standardised format, the platform is expected to help authorities assess risks more accurately and take quicker decisions.
The system will also facilitate greater coordination between departments and support evidence-based action throughout the disaster management cycle.
Focus on anticipatory action and zero casualty
The two partnerships mark a shift towards a disaster management model that places greater emphasis on anticipating risks, preparing communities and acting before disasters escalate.
Pujari said the initiatives would enhance the state’s capacity to identify emerging risks and respond with greater speed and precision. He said the government’s focus remained on strengthening Odisha’s resilience and advancing its goal of “zero casualty” during disasters.
OSDMA Executive Director Susmita Behera signed the MoUs on behalf of the authority. UNDP India Resident Representative Angela Lusigi and CivicDataLab Director and Co-founder Gaurav Godhwani were present during the signing ceremony.
