# Odisha disaster response upgrades

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-disaster-response-upgrades
> Updated: 2026-08-06T16:16:39.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 the Odisha government announced a series of enhancements to its disaster‑management capabilities. On 4 August, the state upgraded the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) to a full State Disaster Response Force, creating a separate battalion, adding ten new units to bring total strength to 30, and planning new standard operating procedures, equipment, and transport assets. The upgrade was framed as aligning with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act 2025 and national NDMA standards, building on recent flood‑relief operations.

Two days later, on 6 August, officials detailed further infrastructure improvements. All 122 early‑warning towers along Odisha’s 573‑km coastline will be modernised with 360‑degree cameras and satellite links, and high‑speed communications will be extended across 314 blocks and the central control room. New Doppler weather radars are being installed at Balasore, Bhubaneswar and Puri, supplementing existing radar capacity. The state also allocated ₹110 crore for flood‑affected districts and earmarked funds for planting lightning‑resistant palm trees and urban water‑logging mitigation.

Together, these steps illustrate a coordinated effort to strengthen both the operational force and the technological systems that support flood, cyclone, and other disaster response in Odisha.

## Claims

- Odisha will modernise all 122 early warning towers along its 573‑km coastline with 360‑degree surveillance cameras. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired the high‑level review meeting on flood management. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Odisha will integrate satellite telecommunication systems and high‑speed communication technologies across its 314 blocks and central control room. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- New Doppler weather radars will be commissioned at Balasore, Bhubaneswar and Puri, while existing radars at Sambalpur are operational and upgrades at Gopalpur and Paradip are underway. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 35 crore for planting palm trees in agricultural fields to reduce lightning‑related deaths. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is collaborating with IIT Roorkee to address urban waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Odisha officials visited Goa and Kerala to study advanced early‑warning systems and best practices. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Odisha has released ₹110 crore in financial assistance to 22 flood‑affected districts, including ₹22.03 crore to Balasore and ₹20.20 crore to Jajpur. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Odisha upgrades early warning towers, adds Doppler radars for flood preparedness

Odisha will modernise 122 coastal early‑warning towers, add new Doppler radars, release ₹110 crore for flood relief and fund lightning‑death prevention measures.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-upgrades-early-warning-towers-adds-doppler-radars-for-flood-preparedness

### 2026-08-04: Odisha upgrades ODRAF to State Disaster Response Force, adds 10 new units

Odisha upgrades ODRAF to a State Disaster Response Force, adds ten units, and plans new SOPs and equipment to boost flood, cyclone and disaster response.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-upgrades-odraf-to-state-disaster-response-force

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Cite as: Odisha disaster response upgrades. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-disaster-response-upgrades