Prone to cyclones, the eastern Indian state of Odisha has decided to include disaster and pandemic management in the curricula of high school and college.

A resolution in this regard was passed at a meeting of the Odisha Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday (Saturday), reports our New Delhi correspondent.

From now on, every high school and college student will learn about disaster and pandemic management as part of the curricula, Patnaik said.

The Council of Ministers said it felt that everyone in the state should be well prepared to face the challenges posed by disasters such as frequent cyclones and also the pandemic, he said.

Disaster and pandemic management will be in the government recruitment syllabus as well, Patnaik said.

Elected representatives will be trained on disaster and pandemic management, he said.

Besides, the government will train community-based organisations and equip them with the knowledge required to manage disasters and pandemics, he said.