📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joint Typhoon Warning Center, a US government agen
Weather
Odisha to Add 87 Cyclone Shelters, Raising Total to 929
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 26 Sep 2026, 09:15 PM
👁 12
The Odisha government has approved the construction of 87 new cyclone shelters, increasing the state's shelter count to 929.
The state administration of Odisha announced on Monday its plan to build 87 additional cyclone shelters across vulnerable coastal districts. The initiative is part of a long‑term disaster‑risk reduction strategy aimed at enhancing community safety during the frequent cyclonic events that affect the Bay of Bengal region.
With the new structures, Odisha's total number of operational cyclone shelters will rise to 929, making it one of the most prepared states in India in terms of shelter capacity. Officials said the shelters will be equipped with basic amenities, including drinking water, sanitation facilities, and emergency power supplies.
The project, funded through the state disaster management fund and central government assistance, is expected to be completed in phases over the next two years. Authorities will prioritize locations that lack adequate protection, especially in districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapara.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) chief emphasized that the shelters are not only for cyclone events but can also serve as relief centers during floods and other natural calamities, thereby strengthening overall resilience.
Local communities have welcomed the move, citing past experiences of displacement and loss during severe cyclones. The government plans to conduct awareness campaigns to ensure residents know how to access the shelters when warnings are issued.
With the new structures, Odisha's total number of operational cyclone shelters will rise to 929, making it one of the most prepared states in India in terms of shelter capacity. Officials said the shelters will be equipped with basic amenities, including drinking water, sanitation facilities, and emergency power supplies.
The project, funded through the state disaster management fund and central government assistance, is expected to be completed in phases over the next two years. Authorities will prioritize locations that lack adequate protection, especially in districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapara.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) chief emphasized that the shelters are not only for cyclone events but can also serve as relief centers during floods and other natural calamities, thereby strengthening overall resilience.
Local communities have welcomed the move, citing past experiences of displacement and loss during severe cyclones. The government plans to conduct awareness campaigns to ensure residents know how to access the shelters when warnings are issued.