Odisha news: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Jan 3: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi officially declared the unseasonal rain that occurred in December last year as a natural disaster on Friday. Speaking at the Krushi Odisha conclave, the CM announced that farmers who suffered crop losses exceeding 33% will receive assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
According to reports from district collectors, a total of 6,66,720 farmers, including 2.61 lakh insured farmers, have reported more than 33% crop loss across 2,26,791 hectares of land. In response to the extensive damage, the state government will disburse Rs 291.59 crore from the SDRF as compensation for the affected crops, which will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) starting today.
The unseasonal rainfall, which occurred in two phases between December 20 and 28, caused significant destruction to crops during the kharif harvesting period, with Ganjam district being the hardest hit. The Chief Minister had previously stated that all affected farmers, both insured and uninsured, would be eligible for assistance. He also undertook a tour of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Nayagarh districts to assess the widespread crop damage, while other ministers visited additional rain-affected areas on December 29, 2024.
Tragically, Odisha has reported the deaths of six farmers in the past week—three from suicide and three from cardiac arrest due to the shock of their crop losses.
