Bhubaneswar: Climate change is altering seasonal patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters across the world, including Odisha, Swapnasri Sarangi of the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) said at the concluding day of the three-day Earth Again Conference 2026 organised by Sambad at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking at a special session, Sarangi said cyclones in Odisha are becoming more intense compared to the past. Although forecasts now provide information about the possibility of cyclones 10 to 15 days in advance, such disasters have increasingly become a regular challenge for the state.

She said governments are making several efforts to address the growing impact of climate change, while voluntary and social organisations are also working to create awareness and encourage communities to respond to the crisis.

Sarangi highlighted the role of voluntary organisations in reducing the impact of climate change on society and nature. She appreciated the Earth Again initiative for creating a platform to raise awareness and encourage collective action to protect the environment.

“Odisha should not surrender before disasters,” she said, stressing the need to learn from the 1999 Super Cyclone and develop new approaches to deal with increasingly frequent and intense disasters.

Sarangi also drew attention to the challenges faced by farmers. Limited availability of agricultural land and inadequate irrigation facilities have forced many farmers to depend heavily on non-timber forest (NTF) products, she said.

She added that erratic rainfall patterns are also affecting paddy production, increasing the vulnerability of farming communities to climate change.