Bhubaneswar, Sept 29: Odisha has achieved a significant milestone in community-based disaster preparedness, with 100 coastal villages receiving the ‘Tsunami Ready’ recognition under UNESCO-IOC’s Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

The milestone follows the state government’s target, announced in 2024 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, to make all tsunami-prone coastal villages in Odisha ‘Tsunami Ready’. Based on this objective, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has been implementing the programme in phases across the state’s six coastal districts.

With 75 more villages receiving Tsunami Ready recognition in 2026, the total number of recognised villages in Odisha has now reached 100. The state has set a target of progressively preparing 381 tsunami-prone villages and habitations across its six coastal districts.

Members of the National Tsunami Ready Board (NTRB) conducted field assessments in coastal villages on September 26 and 27. Following the inspections, the board members held discussions with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who appreciated the efforts of the board and the preparedness initiatives undertaken by coastal communities.

The NTRB meeting was subsequently held at the Bhubaneswar Convention Centre on September 28, where Dr Balakrishnan Nair, Director of INCOIS, chaired the proceedings. The meeting reviewed the field assessments carried out by the board across the six coastal districts.

During their field visits, NTRB members visited villages in Balasore, Kendrapara, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts. They interacted with local residents and assessed community awareness, preparedness measures and response mechanisms in the event of a tsunami.