A cyclone shelter in seaside Pentha village of Odisha’s Kendrapada district was cleaned, repaired and stocked with essential supplies on Monday after authorities found it unsafe and lacking basic facilities. The intervention followed directions from revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Kumar Pujari, who ordered the district administration to make the facility ready for villagers.
The shelter, located under Rajnagar block, had reportedly developed an unsafe roof and suffered from poor maintenance. Toilets and washrooms were either dirty or unusable, while residents had raised concerns about the building’s uninhabitable condition. The facility was built by the state government in 2000, following the 1999 super cyclone.
After being informed about the shelter’s condition, Pujari directed the administration to send the Rajnagar block development officer to inspect the building and take urgent action. The inspection led to a cleaning operation and the installation of a generator, according to the report.
The administration has also stocked the shelter with dry food and other essential items. BDO Ashok Mohanty said some local residents had been using the area near the building as a cattle shelter and were directed to remove the animals. The move was intended to clear the premises and allow the facility to function as a safe community space during an emergency.
Cyclone shelters in Odisha are designed for more than disaster evacuation. They are also intended to serve as schools or community centres during normal periods. That dual use makes routine upkeep important, particularly in coastal settlements where the buildings may be required at short notice during severe weather.
The Pentha intervention highlights the operational role of local administration in maintaining disaster infrastructure after construction is completed. A shelter’s usefulness depends not only on its structure but also on access to sanitation, power, food supplies and a clear surrounding area. In this case, these basic requirements were addressed only after residents reported that the facility had become unsafe and unusable.
The immediate action has made the Pentha shelter ready with basic amenities, according to the report. The district administration’s next responsibility will be to maintain the facility, preserve access to its premises and ensure that the generator, sanitation facilities and emergency supplies remain available when required.
