The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), India’s first dedicated disaster response body, is being restructured to be able to face the challenges posed by ongoing climate change more effectively.

The state government decided to proceed with its plan to reorganise its structure 25 years after it faced the super cyclone.

Odisha was devastated by the super cyclone on October 29, 1999. It wreaked havoc in the state and more than 10,000 people died. The state government at that time decided to set up its mechanism to deal with natural disasters.

The state government later set up OSDMA.

The state government said: “Over the years, since inception, OSDMA has successfully taken up capacity building, preparedness and disaster management planning activities which has led to effective management of significant disaster events....”

The resolution states: “It has become crucial to strengthen the organisational structure of OSDMA in line with national frameworks and guidelines....”

According to the restructuring plan, there will be four broad divisions in OSDMA — general, capacity building, project and technology, and finance. The staff strength will be increased from 102 to 129.