Bhubaneswar, Oct 29 (Reporter) A state-of-the-art natural disaster management center will be established in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion of Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day and National Disaster Reduction Day 2024, Majhi stated that Odisha is equipped with advanced technology to handle disasters and asserted that the state government is fully prepared to face any calamity. Majhi paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the 1999 Super Cyclone and other natural disasters. He noted that the state recently faced Cyclone 'Dana,' which affected over 6,000 villages and towns across 11 districts. However, due to strong preparedness and teamwork, around 800,000 people were evacuated to safe locations, and response teams were swiftly deployed to disaster-prone areas using advanced early warning systems and technology. A total of 388 response teams from the NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Department, Forest Department, and Police were deployed. Majhi added, "Our goal was zero loss of life, and we achieved this in the face of the storm." He further highlighted that Odisha has learned valuable lessons from the natural calamities it has faced over the last 25 years and announced that response teams will be established in every village, and the 844 cyclone and flood shelters across the state will be upgraded. Additionally, a state-of-the-art natural disaster management center will be built, and mangrove forests will be developed along the state’s 480-kilometer coastline. The Chief Minister also shared plans to increase the number of ODRAF teams from 20 to 30. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reflected on the progress made since the devastating 1999 Super Cyclone. He noted that, in the past, the government relied primarily on administrative skills, experience, and intuition to manage disasters. Today, the government, along with the public, social workers, and various organizations, is at the forefront of disaster response. Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department, Dr. Muthananjaya Mahapatra, congratulated everyone for successfully managing Cyclone 'Dana' and remarked that Odisha has become an example for both India and the world in disaster management. During the event, the Chief Minister presented awards to 142 individuals from various fields who played a significant role in the successful response to Cyclone 'Dana.' They were honored with certificates and financial rewards. The Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition on disaster preparedness and management. The Odisha government signed two MoUs to further enhance disaster management. An agreement was made with the Council for Energy, Environment, and Water to support heat wave management in 10 cities across Odisha and another MoU was signed with the UN World Food Program to promote online disaster management awareness...////...