Odisha Announces Major Relief Package for Cyclone Arnab-Hit Families, Farmers and Small Businesses
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for families affected by Cyclone Arnab, aiming to provide immediate assistance and support long-term livelihood restoration in the worst-hit districts.
The package was unveiled following a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Under the relief measures, each affected family will receive 50 kg of rice and ₹2,500 in financial assistance to meet immediate needs.
The state government has also intensified damage assessment efforts ahead of a visit by a Central Inter-Ministerial Committee, which is scheduled to assess losses in severely affected districts including Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal.
Recognising the impact on the agricultural sector, the government announced input subsidies for farmers who have suffered crop losses of 33 per cent or more.
Assistance ranging from ₹8,500 to ₹22,500 per hectare will be provided depending on the crop category.
Additionally, 1.75 lakh agricultural mini-kits will be distributed, while farmers will receive a 75 per cent subsidy on pesticides and bio-pesticides during the upcoming Rabi season.
Eligible short-term crop loans will also be converted into medium-term loans to ease the financial burden on cultivators.
The package includes substantial housing assistance for families whose homes were damaged by the cyclone.
Those with fully damaged houses will receive ₹1.2 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.3 lakh in hilly regions, while aid ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 has been earmarked for partially damaged homes.
Families whose houses were destroyed or remained inundated for more than two days will be eligible for an additional ₹2,500 to replace damaged clothing and household items.
Livestock owners have also been included in the relief framework. Compensation will be provided for deaths of cattle and other animals, with assistance ranging from ₹4,000 for sheep, goats and pigs to ₹37,500 for milch animals.
To revive economic activity, the government has announced financial support for fish farmers, traders, MSMEs, street vendors and shopkeepers.
Business owners can avail loans of up to ₹12 lakh with a 25 per cent subsidy, while street vendors and commercial establishments will receive assistance of ₹10,000 and ₹25,000 respectively.
Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), artisans, weavers and sericulture workers have also been covered under the special package.
Eligible SHGs will receive additional seed money, while artisans and weavers will get financial support to replace damaged tools and raw materials.
During the review meeting, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also directed officials to remain prepared for another weather system reportedly named “Murasu” and ensure uninterrupted relief and restoration operations in vulnerable regions.
Priority has been given to restoring lift irrigation systems before the commencement of the Rabi cultivation season.
The government’s relief package is expected to provide critical support to thousands of families while accelerating recovery efforts across cyclone-affected areas of Odisha.
