Odisha to Restructure State Disaster Management Authority to Address Climate Change Challenges

Bhubaneswar: To tackle the growing threat of climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) is set to undergo a major restructuring. Nearly 25 years after its formation, OSDMA, India’s pioneering dedicated disaster response agency, will be revamped to enhance its capacity for disaster risk reduction and resilience.

The restructuring follows a resolution passed by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, which acknowledges that the intensifying impacts of climate change are causing more frequent and severe disasters, including cyclones, heavy rainfall, and flash floods. The resolution highlights the need for OSDMA to adapt and strengthen its organizational framework to better align with national guidelines and cope with these evolving challenges.

“Given the changing landscapes, it is essential to reinforce the OSDMA’s capabilities, transitioning from a focus on mitigation, preparedness, response, and reconstruction towards a comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction and resilience,” stated the notification.

As part of the restructuring, OSDMA will be divided into four key divisions: General, Capacity Building, Projects & Technology, and Finance, with each division headed by an Executive Director. These divisions aim to streamline the authority’s operations and enhance its effectiveness in disaster management.

• The Executive Director (General) and Executive Director (Capacity Building) will be high-ranking officials, equivalent to IAS or OAS officers.
• The Executive Director (Projects & Technology) will be appointed from the state’s engineering departments or deputed from the Telecom Department of the Government of India.
• The Executive Director (Finance) will hold the rank of OFS (SS/SAG) and will be appointed on deputation from the state government, assuming the title of Chief General Manager (F&A) if they are from the OFS (SG) cadre.

The restructuring will also involve changes to the organization’s staffing structure. Out of the current 102 positions, 10 posts will be discontinued, and 37 new positions will be introduced to strengthen the authority’s workforce.

OSDMA was originally established as the Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority in response to the 1999 Super Cyclone, which devastated Odisha, claiming nearly 10,000 lives and impacting 13 million people across 12 districts. The cyclone also caused extensive damage to infrastructure and homes, prompting the state to take proactive measures in disaster management. In 2008, the organization was renamed the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to reflect its broader mandate.