UN praises role of media during cyclone Phailin

Berhampur: Happy over reduction of human losses during cyclone Phailin, the United Nations today appreciated media's role during the disaster which hit the Odisha coast on the night of October 12.

"The role of media was laudable for dissemination of information among people about the cyclone," said the UN secretary general's special representative for disaster risk reduction Margareta Wahlstrom here.

Stating that media played a strong, positive and responsive role during the cyclone, Wahlstorm said "We hope in future also media continues to play a role."

Wahlstrom, who interacted with the corporators of Berhampur Municipal Corporation about cyclone Phailin, wanted to know the difference between the super cyclone of 1999 and cyclone Phailin. She also inquired about how casualties could be reduced from 9985 in 1999 to 21 in 2013.

She also concluded that timely dissemination of information about the severity of the cyclone and prompt evacuation of people from the coastal areas helped in reduction of human losses.