Odisha Samachar Odisha Breaking News , Odisha Current News , Odisha News
Related Articles
– Second Meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Successfully Concluded in Puri.
– Odisha’s Achievements in Disaster Management Recognized by the BRICS Community.
Bhubaneswar, 6/6/2026 ( Odisha Samachar / Rajat Mohapatra )-Under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India successfully hosted the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG) Meeting in Puri, Odisha, from 03 to 05 June 2026. In this context, a joint press conference was held at Lok Seva Bhavan by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). The conference was attended by Shri Suresh Pujari, Hon’ble Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Shri Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, NDMA Member and Head of the Department, NDMA Member Dr. Dinesh Kumar Aswal, Smt. Rita Missal, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director, OSDMA, Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra, Executive Director, OSDMA and senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
The meeting, themed “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” brought together senior officials and technical experts from eight BRICS member countries—China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates—to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction.
Hosting this important international meeting provided Odisha with a valuable opportunity to showcase its globally recognised disaster management system. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha inaugurated the meeting, and the State presented its best practices in early warning systems, cyclone preparedness, evacuation planning and community-based disaster management. Delegates highly appreciated Odisha’s remarkable achievements in protecting lives during disasters and acknowledged the State’s sustained efforts towards achieving near-zero casualty outcomes during major cyclones.
The meeting enabled Odisha’s officials and disaster management professionals to engage directly with international experts, exchange knowledge, and learn from global experiences in disaster risk reduction. Delegates also witnessed a live water rescue demonstration by ODRAF at Ramchandi, showcasing the State’s operational preparedness, specialised equipment and response capabilities for flood and water-related emergencies.
Beyond disaster management, the event provided an opportunity to highlight Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. Delegates visited the Konark Sun Temple and experienced Odisha’s vibrant cultural traditions through performances of Odissi, Chhau, Jatra, and tribal dance and music. Many participants expressed appreciation for the State’s rich history, architectural excellence and cultural diversity.
The successful hosting of the BRICS DRRG Meeting has further enhanced Odisha’s international profile as a leader in disaster resilience and preparedness. It aligns closely with the vision outlined in Viksit Odisha 2036, which seeks to maintain zero casualty outcomes across disasters, strengthen resilient infrastructure, modernise ODRAF, and reduce disaster impacts on livelihoods,
