Odisha CM Declares Unseasonal December Rains As Natural Disaster

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday declared the unseasonal rain in December last year as a natural disaster.

Addressing the Krushi Odisha conclave, the CM said the farmers, who have suffered crop loss exceeding 33%, will get assistance from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). 

He further stated that 6,66,720 lakh farmers, including 2.61 lakh covered under crop insurance, have reported more than 33% crop loss over 2,26,791 hectares of land, citing the reports submitted by the district collectors. “The state government will provide Rs 291.59 crore from the SDRF as compensation for the damage to crops from today through DBT” he added.

The unseasonal rain occurred in two phases between December 20 and 28 causing extensive damage to crops across several districts during kharif harvesting period, with Ganjam being the worst hit.

The CM had earlier announced that all affected farmers, both insured and uninsured, would get the assistance. He also conducted an extensive tour of Ganjam, Gajapati and Nayagarh districts to assess the widespread damage to crops. Other ministers also visited some other rain-affected districts on on December 29, 2024.

Odisha has reported death of six farmers – three by suicide and as many due to cardiac arrest induced by shock over crop loss – over last week.