Odisha Expands Tsunami Preparedness as 100 Coastal Villages Earn UNESCO Recognition
Odisha has taken another major step towards strengthening coastal disaster preparedness, with 100 villages receiving ‘Tsunami Ready’ recognition under the UNESCO-IOC programme.
The initiative, being implemented by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), aims to equip communities in tsunami-prone areas with the knowledge, systems and preparedness required to respond effectively during emergencies.
The programme was expanded across six coastal districts in line with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s 2024 vision of strengthening tsunami preparedness across vulnerable coastal settlements.
With 75 more villages receiving recognition this year, the total number of tsunami-ready villages in Odisha has reached 100. The state has set a broader target of covering 381 tsunami-prone villages and habitations in phases.
The UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready initiative focuses on community participation and coordination between government agencies, scientific institutions, emergency response authorities and local residents. It is currently being implemented across 22 countries in the Indian Ocean region, including India.
Members of the National Tsunami Ready Board (NTRB) conducted field assessments of coastal villages over the weekend. Following the verification exercise, the team shared its observations with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.
A review meeting of the NTRB was subsequently held under the chairmanship of INCOIS Director Balakrishnan Nair and OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil. Officials reviewed the preparedness levels of villages covered during the field assessment.
The Board members noted the involvement of local communities, their awareness of tsunami risks and their ability to respond to emergencies. They also acknowledged Odisha’s efforts to convert scientific early-warning mechanisms and disaster-management procedures into practical preparedness measures at the community level.
