Address financial and manpower problems for preparedness - Gyana Das

"We need to address the financial as well as dedicated specialised manpower problems in order to push forward preparedness at all levels." -  Gyana Das, Commissioner, Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Odisha, India

There was hardly any talk regarding tsunami preparedness in Odisha till the tsunami struct the Indian coast in 2004, though we had included tsunami preparedness in a reference book prepared by OSDMA for school children.

At OSDMA level, we prepared an action plan under GoI-UNDP DRM Programme which included:

• Mapping of villages prone to tsunami (328 villages in six coastal districts)
• GIS mapping of habitations in these 328 villages
• Networking with community volunteers through a database with telephone numbers so that warnings could be immediately disseminated.
• Inclusion of tsunami management plan in village/GP/Block/District level DM Plans
• Awareness and capacity building programmes at each level 

After a decade, we have not been able to progress much though the level of preparedness for flood and cyclone has reached new heights. Major problems have been mostly financial as well as dedicated specialised manpower. Due importance/thrust has also not been given.

We need to give importance to these issues and push forward the preparedness at each level so that we are not caught in an awkward situation in the time of need.