Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged BRICS nations to move beyond deliberations on natural calamities and translate discussions into concrete partnerships and actionable outcomes for vulnerable communities worldwide. Inaugurating the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group technical meeting, Majhi called for stronger scientific interventions, wider public awareness, and preventive measures to tackle rising threats such as heatwaves, lightning, and coastal erosion.
BRICS Platform for Collaboration
Highlighting the significance of the BRICS platform, Majhi said it offers scope for collaboration among emerging economies on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, and capacity building. “BRICS offers a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, climate adaptation, and institutional capacity building. The need of the hour is to transform dialogue into action,” he said, stressing the need to strengthen resilience amid rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and rapid urbanization. He advocated climate-sensitive planning, sustainable land use, and comprehensive heat action plans.
Puri Deliberations as Landmark
Expressing confidence in the outcome, Majhi said the “Puri deliberations” could emerge as a landmark contribution to global disaster risk reduction efforts. He termed Odisha hosting the meeting as recognition of the state’s expertise in disaster management. “The framework from this gathering can redefine international cooperation in disaster risk reduction,” he said.
Theme: Building for Resilience
Referring to the theme — Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability — Majhi said disaster risk reduction is no longer a stand-alone concern but central to sustainable development, economic stability, and human security. “Climate change, rapid urbanization, and environmental degradation are increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters, necessitating stronger preparedness and coordinated action,” he said.
Odisha's Disaster Management Model
The CM showcased the state’s globally recognized disaster management model, underscoring the “zero-casualty” approach as the backbone of its resilience strategy and recent infrastructure push. “Odisha has strengthened its preparedness through evidence-based planning, advanced early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and community participation. Preparedness, strong institutions, and community engagement can significantly reduce disaster impacts, but future challenges will demand stronger partnerships and better technology,” he said, stressing the need for continuous innovation and investment, citing vulnerabilities to cyclones, heatwaves, and coastal risks.
Alignment with PM Modi's Vision
Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Majhi said disaster risk reduction is now central to development planning, guided by the PM’s 10-point agenda. He cited the Centre’s clearance of Rs 8,301 crore 160-km coastal highway from Rameshwar to Paradip via Konark, which will aid faster evacuation, ensure supply continuity, and improve emergency response in cyclone-prone areas. He said the project, along with the Rs 8,307-crore Capital Region Ring Road and BCPPER initiative, backed by NITI Aayog, will boost both economic growth and long-term climate resilience.
Lessons from 1999 Super Cyclone
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said lessons from the 1999 super cyclone have significantly strengthened Odisha’s preparedness. “Today, Odisha has a globally recognized governance model in disaster management. The state has built robust infrastructure, including early warning systems, while investing heavily in community preparedness. Communities are the first responders, so we have strengthened last-mile information dissemination to enable quicker response,” he said.
