India: Orissa to build 164 cyclone shelters by March 2011

Prone to cyclones as well as storm induced flooding and surges, the state of Orissa, devastated by a super-cyclone in 1999, has decided to built the 164 new cyclone shelters as a part of its cyclone and flood risk mitigation measures, according to an official.

"The state government has already built 200 multi-purpose cyclone shelters in various places of its coastal districts after the super cyclone of 1999," said a senior official of the state revenue department. "The government has also initiated steps to build 164 more such shelters in the state," he added.