In addition to the multi-purpose cyclone shelters put up by OSDMA, a number of buildings came up both in Private and Government sector in the reconstruction phase of the Super Cyclone in the affected areas. Indian Red Cross Society also constructed some more Cyclone Shelters. Taking these into account, another study was conducted through IIT, Kharagpur in 6 coastal dist and areas adjoining Chilika Lagoon to identify the gaps and locations for construction of Cyclone Shelter. It is intended that every single individual in this 10 km zone would be provided with a safe shelter with maximum travel distance restricted u 2.25 km and without crossing a natural barrier. The study has identified 370 locations for construction of Cyclone Shelters in 6 coastal districts and around Chilika Lagoon.

In addition to 97 MCS buildings already constructed, 42 more Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters have been taken up for construction with funds sanctioned out of Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Of these, construction of 19 buildings has been completed. The list of list of Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters is available in the official website of OSDMA.

The Cyclone Shelters are designed to withstand a wind peed of 300 km per hour and the plinth level of these buildings has been fixed above the recorded high tide level to protect from possible storm surge and high fl s. Apart from functioning as safe shelters during cyclones and floods these buildings can be used for multiple purposes as community assets. Most of these buildings have been constructed within the school premises for use as schools and for there community activities during normal time.

Community based Cyclone Shelter Management and Maintenance Committees (CSMMC) constituted at the shelter level ar responsible for the sustainable maintenance and management of these large d buildings by generating resources on putting these buildings in income generating use. The MCS buildings have been handed over to the respective CSMMCs for management and maintenance.

H. STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION:

VHF:   A dedicated civil VHF network has been set up to strengthen the communication between the field offices and the district headquarters with financial assistance under Eleventh Finance Commission. Now there are 414 VHF base stations are available covering all district headquarter block headquarters, some Tahasils, some disaster prone GPs, ODRAF units and other locations. The details are available in the website.

Satellite phones:   35 Satellite phones have been procured and provided to the district collectors and other disaster managers at the state level.

HAM Radio:   OSDMA is promoting installation of Amateur (HAM) Radio stations and training to volunteers in its operation.

I.  ORISSA DISASTER RAPID ACTION FORCE (ODRAF):

Five Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units been set up at Cuttack, Chatrapur, Balasore, Jharsuguda and Koraput t assist the civil Administration at the time of calamities to clear relief lines, take up search & rescue operations and help in management of disasters. The ODRAF units have been carved out of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) Bat ons and the Armed Police Reserve (APR) of District Police. The 5 ODRAF u its are located at the following locations:

1. 6th Battalion OSAP, , Cuttack
2. 2nd Battalion, OSAP, Jharsuguda
3. 3rd Battalion, OSAP, Koraput
4. 8th Battalion, OSAP, Chatrapur
5. District Police, Balasore

88 different types of emergency equipment have been pr d to each of the ODRAF unit to handle multi faceted operations like Water Rescue, Relief Line Clearance, Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), Medical First Responder (MFR), Transportation, Communication, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Logistics.

Comprehensive training programmes are chalked out for capacity building of ODRAF personnel in the state and national level training institutions. Logical Skill Matrix has been developed to monitor the level of efficiency of ODRAF personnel in different response activities. The ODRAF personnel have been sent to National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi, National Industrial Security Academy (NISA), Hyderabad, Sea Explorer's Institute, Kolkatta, Atal Bihari Bajpayee Mountaineering Institute, Manali for different training programmes. The ODRAF personnel have been trained in Basic First Aid, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Rescue from Heights, Boat Operations, Maintenance of Chain Saw and Inflatable Tower Light, etc.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the personnel and equipment have been prepared and communicated to all concerned to be followed in letter and spirit. Most of the equipment are under Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) to facilitate their readiness for emergency response activities.

The ODRAF units have been provided with communication equipment like telephone, fax, VHF and mobile phones. Steps are being taken to set up HAM Radio Stations at ODRAF units.