Odisha Govt to Compensate Farmers, Property Owners Hit by Unseasonal Rains

Bhubaneswar: In response to crop loss and property damage caused by unseasonal rainfall between May 27 and May 30, the Odisha government convened a high-level virtual review meeting to assess the impact and strategize compensation for affected individuals.

Held at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, and Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with Vice-Chancellor of OUAT Dr. Prabhat Kumar Roul and District Collectors from across the state.

Director of the India Meteorological Department’s Regional Branch, Manorama Mohanty, briefed participants on the weather patterns leading to the disruption. Odisha recorded an average of 41.9 mm rainfall over the four-day period, with eight districts—Kendrapara, Kalahandi, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Bhadrak, Sonepur, and Rayagada—receiving over 50 mm, while 22 districts registered between 10 and 50 mm.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state government has officially classified the unseasonal rainfall as a natural disaster, ensuring that compensation will be provided under disaster relief norms. “We are conducting a joint survey through the Revenue and Agriculture Departments to assess the extent of damage,” he said, assuring that no affected farmer or household will be left out of the relief process.

Minister Pujari emphasized that once District Collectors submit their final assessment reports, the government will move swiftly to disburse compensation. He also directed officials to ensure that damage to standing crops and private properties is evaluated fairly and transparently.