Towards Resilient Power Infrastructure in Odisha: Strategies for Effective Risk Identification and Estimation
Towards Resilient Power Infrastructure in Odisha
Towards Resilient Power Infrastructure in Odisha: Strategies for Effective Risk Identification and Estimation

Towards Resilient Power Infrastructure in Odisha: Strategies for Effective Risk Identification and Estimation 

This report evaluates Odisha’s power infrastructure vulnerability to cyclones and floods. It uses hazard zonation maps, exposure analysis, and vulnerability scoring to identify critical transmission and distribution assets.  

Findings reveal that coastal districts like Puri, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, and Ganjam face wind speeds exceeding 60 m/s and severe flooding, with up to 30% of substations and lines exposed. Ageing infrastructure, weak pole designs, and radial systems heighten risks. Multi-hazard assessments show substations and lines vulnerable to both hazards, requiring urgent reinforcement. Prioritization matrices rank assets for retrofitting, focusing on critical lines feeding essential services.  

Recommendations include GIS-based asset inventories, systematic damage recording, micro-zonation, and IoT-enabled early warning systems. The study aims to guide investment planning and resilience strategies for Odisha’s power sector and similar high-risk regions. 

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Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.