Centre Deploys 8-Member Team to Evaluate Cyclone Arnab Havoc in Odisha
An 8-member central team visits Odisha to evaluate Cyclone Arnab losses as CM Mohan Charan Majhi announces a massive relief package for farmers.
The Union Home Ministry has announced the deployment of an eight-member Central Inter-Ministerial Team to Odisha to conduct a comprehensive Cyclone Arnab damage assessment. Visiting the state from November 2 to 4, the high-level delegation aims to determine the scale of destruction caused by the storm to facilitate the disbursement of central financial assistance.
Led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, the team is scheduled to hold detailed deliberations with the state government before embarking on field inspections in the most severely hit regions. The final report submitted by this team will serve as the primary blueprint for the central government to decide the quantum of aid for the losses suffered by the state.
Odisha Government Announces Massive Relief Package
Concurrent with the central assessment, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has unveiled a comprehensive special assistance package to support families and farmers devastated by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent torrential rains. The announcement came during a high-level review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Bhubaneswar, where officials also discussed precautionary measures for the approaching Cyclone Murasu.
The meeting saw the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Additional Chief Secretary Arabinda Padhee, and IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty, among other senior officials.
Direct Aid for Affected Families
To provide immediate relief, the state government has committed the following for every affected family:
- Food Security: 50 kilograms of rice.
- Cash Support: ₹2,500 in cash.
- Household Essentials: ₹2,500 specifically for utensils and household items.
Agricultural Support and Subsidies
Recognizing the severe blow to the agrarian economy, particularly in districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal, the Chief Minister detailed a tiered subsidy system for crop losses of 33% or more:
- Irrigated Land: ₹17,000 per hectare.
- Unirrigated Land: ₹8,500 per hectare.
- Perennial Crops: ₹22,500 per hectare.
Even for those with lower loss percentages, the state will provide minimum assistance: ₹2,500 for perennial crops, ₹2,000 for irrigated land, and ₹1,000 for unirrigated land. Additionally, the government has allocated ₹18,000 per hectare to help farmers clear sand and silt deposited on their fields by the storm.
Further Agricultural Incentives
To ensure the next sowing season is not compromised, the government is providing:
- Seed Kits: 1,20,000 pulse kits, 50,000 vegetable kits, and 5,000 oilseed kits.
- Sugarcane Support: ₹27,500 per hectare for 2,000 hectares of affected land.
- Pesticide Subsidy: Up to 75% subsidy on pesticides for the Rabi crop.
- Loan Relief: Short-term Kharif loans will be converted into medium-term loans to ease the financial burden on farmers.
Housing Reconstruction Grants
For those who have lost their shelters, the state has earmarked specific funds based on the geography of the damage. Families whose homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged will receive:
- Plain Areas: ₹1.20 lakh.
- Hilly Areas: ₹1.30 lakh.
Cyclone Arnab, which battered the coasts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, resulted in significant loss of life and property, prompting this urgent dual-pronged response from both the state and central governments.