Odisha Declares Unseasonal Rain a Natural Disaster, Announces Aid for Farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday declared the recent unseasonal rain as a natural disaster, assuring affected farmers of financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The announcement was made during the ‘Krushi Odisha 2025’ event in Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the gathering at the Krishi Odisha Mancha, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers who have suffered crop damage. He stated that following the submission of crop damage reports by district collectors, the state government officially classified the unseasonal rainfall as a natural disaster.

Farmers experiencing crop losses of 33% or more due to the rain will be eligible for compensation. According to the latest reports, approximately 6,66,720 farmers across 2,26,791 hectares of land have been severely affected, with losses exceeding the 33% threshold.

To mitigate the impact, the state government has allocated Rs 291.65 crore from the SDRF to provide financial relief to the affected farmers, the Chief Minister announced.

The declaration highlights the government’s proactive measures to address agricultural distress and safeguard the livelihoods of farmers across the state.