Cyclone Arnab: Odisha Announces Relief Package, Affected Families To Get 50 Kg Rice, Rs 2,500

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday announced a comprehensive relief package for families affected by Cyclone Arnab, providing 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 in financial assistance to each affected family, along with support for farmers, fishermen, traders, artisans and other vulnerable groups.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the package after a high-level review meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office to assess cyclone damage and review relief and restoration operations.

Under the package, farmers suffering crop losses of 33 per cent or more will receive input subsidies of Rs 8,500 per hectare for rainfed land, Rs 17,000 for irrigated land and Rs 22,500 for perennial crops, subject to prescribed limits. The government will also distribute 1.75 lakh agricultural mini-kits and provide a 75 per cent subsidy on pesticides and bio-pesticides during the 2026-27 Rabi season.

Families whose houses have been completely damaged will receive Rs 1.2 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.3 lakh in hilly areas. Additional assistance has been announced for partially damaged houses, huts, cattle sheds and livestock losses.

The package also includes financial support for fish farmers, fishermen, MSMEs, traders, shopkeepers, street vendors, Women Self-Help Groups, weavers, artisans and silk farmers.

Eligible MSMEs, traders and shopkeepers can avail themselves of loans up to Rs 12 lakh with a 25 per cent subsidy, capped at Rs 3 lakh. Street vendors will receive Rs 10,000, while affected shops and commercial establishments will get Rs 25,000.

Majhi said the state government was in regular contact with the Centre regarding the cyclone’s impact and had discussed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A Central Inter-Ministerial Committee is scheduled to visit Odisha on November 2 to assess the damage, particularly in the worst-affected districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal.

The Chief Minister also warned of the possibility of another cyclone, Murasu, approaching and directed officials deployed for relief and monitoring operations to remain alert.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Anu Garg and other senior officials attended the review meeting.