NDMA favours technology use to deal with disaster

"No one can stop the natural disaster. But, one can reduce the impact of calamities if taken adequate precautions ahead of the disaster," B Bhattacharya, a member of the NDMA, said.

A delegation of NDMA was here to discuss on the state's preparedness to deal with disasters. "We are satisfied with the state's preparedness. But, they need to take help of technologies in order to save life and property of the affected people," he said.

Odisha had faced at least 98 cyclones from 1891 to 2000 followed by 79 by Andhra Pradesh, 69 by West Bengal, 62 by Tami Nadu, 28 by Gujarat, 18 by Maharashtra, three by Kerala and two by Karnataka, they said.

Considering Odisha's vulnerability to cyclones, NDMA's project director S P Basudev said the state was experiencing super cyclone, floods, drought since 1999. Therefore, Odisha need to take extra care, he said.

NDMA delegation suggested the state government that it could take financial assistance from the World Bank for purchase of modern equipments to forecast calamities and set up shelter homes along the coast.

While there were 2,450 villages within 10 km distance from the sea, 992 villages had been located within 5 km. Therefore, the state needs to remain extra alert to such type of calamities, they said.