Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced a comprehensive assistance package for people affected by Cyclone Arnab, covering damaged houses, crop losses, livestock, fisheries, small businesses and other livelihood activities.
The package was announced following a high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner on Sunday evening. The meeting reviewed relief operations, reconstruction measures, and the assessment of cyclone-caused damage.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr Arabinda Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Majhi said he was in regular contact with the Central government about Cyclone Arnab’s impact and the measures the state administration has taken. He had also discussed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
A central inter-ministerial committee will visit Odisha on November 2 to assess the damage caused by the cyclone, with particular attention to the worst-affected districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal.
The Chief Minister assured that the state government would extend assistance to everyone affected by the disaster, reiterating that the administration had consistently supported people during previous calamities and would continue to do so this time.
He also cautioned that the effects of Cyclone Arnab had not completely subsided and that another possible cyclone, Murasu, could pose a fresh threat. Consequently, government teams deployed for relief and monitoring in different areas have been directed to remain in their respective locations and respond according to the evolving situation.
Assistance for affected families
Under the announced package, every affected family will receive 50 kg of rice along with financial assistance of Rs 2,500.
Families whose houses have been washed away, destroyed, or remained submerged for more than two days will receive an additional Rs 2,500 for clothing and Rs 2,500 for utensils.
For fully or severely damaged houses, the government has announced assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly areas. Owners of partially damaged pucca houses will receive Rs 6,500, while those with partially damaged kutcha houses will get Rs 4,000. Assistance of Rs 8,000 has been earmarked for damaged huts and Rs 3,000 for cattle sheds.
Agricultural assistance for farmers
Farmers who have suffered crop losses of 33 per cent or more will receive input subsidies for a maximum of two hectares. The assistance will be Rs 8,500 per hectare for non-irrigated land, Rs 17,000 for irrigated land and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.
The minimum assistance has been fixed at Rs 2,500 for perennial crops, Rs 2,000 for irrigated areas and Rs 1,000 for non-irrigated areas.
Farmers requiring the removal of sand or silt deposited on agricultural land will receive Rs 18,000 per hectare, subject to a minimum assistance of Rs 2,200 per farmer.
To support cultivation during the coming season, the government will distribute 1.20 lakh pulse minikits, 5,000 oilseed kits and 50,000 vegetable seed kits among affected farmers. The total distribution will cover 1.75 lakh special minikits.
Special assistance has also been announced for 2,000 hectares of sugarcane-growing areas affected by the cyclone. Depending on farmers’ requirements, support of Rs 27,500 per hectare will be provided for demonstrations of the space transplanting method, while Rs 12,500 per hectare will be available for ratoon crop management.
During the Rabi season of 2026-27, farmers will receive a 75 per cent subsidy on pesticides and bio-pesticides.
The government has also announced relief measures for agricultural borrowers. Wherever crop losses are 33 per cent or more, short-term Kharif loans taken by willing farmers will be converted into medium-term loans.
In addition, Joint Liability Groups will be formed during the Rabi season to facilitate credit access for sharecroppers, landless farmers and cultivators working under oral agreements.
Compensation for livestock losses
The package provides financial compensation to farmers who lost livestock in the cyclone. Owners of milch animals, including cows and buffaloes, will receive Rs 37,500 per animal, while compensation for sheep, goats and pigs has been fixed at Rs 4,000.
For draught animals such as camels, horses and bullocks, the assistance will be Rs 32,000. Owners of smaller draught animals, including calves, donkeys, ponies and mules, will receive Rs 20,000.
Poultry farmers will be compensated at Rs 100 per bird, subject to a maximum of Rs 10,000.
The government will also provide subsidies to help 1,000 farmers procure goats, bullocks and similar animals to restore their livelihoods.
To support dairy farming, 5,000 dairy farmers in affected areas will receive cattle feed at the rate of 100 kg per animal, subject to a maximum of 500 kg.
Furthermore, 200 poultry farms that have suffered more than 70 per cent damage will receive assistance for recovery under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.
Relief measures for fishermen and fish farmers
The fisheries sector has also been included in the assistance package. Affected fish farmers will receive financial assistance covering up to 75 per cent of the eligible cost, calculated at Rs 1,12,500 per hectare.
For freshwater fishing activities, compensation of Rs 22,500 will be provided for fully or partially damaged boats and Rs 15,000 for damaged fishing nets.
Marine and Chilika fishermen will receive Rs 60,000 for fully or partially damaged boats and Rs 15,000 for nets.
Fish farmers whose pond embankments have been breached or whose soil has been eroded will also receive assistance. Community ponds leased by women’s self-help groups will be covered under the package, with support of up to Rs 1.75 lakh per hectare.
Financial support for MSMEs, traders and shopkeepers
Small businesses and commercial establishments affected by the cyclone will receive financial support to help them recover from losses.
The government will assess damage to business premises, cabins, stalls, machinery, fixtures, stocks and other business assets belonging to affected MSMEs, traders, shopkeepers, roadside vendors and commercial establishments.
Eligible MSMEs, traders and shopkeepers will be able to access loan assistance of up to Rs 12 lakh. The government will provide a 25% subsidy on the loan amount, subject to a maximum of Rs 3 lakh. The subsidy will be transferred directly to the banks by the state government.
Roadside vendors, temporary stall operators and kiosk owners will receive Rs 10,000, while shops and other commercial establishments will be eligible for assistance of Rs 25,000.
Support for women, artisans and weavers
Women-led self-help groups affected by the cyclone will receive additional seed money of Rs 5,000 each, subject to eligibility.
The government has also announced assistance for the handicrafts and handloom sectors. Weavers and artisans will receive Rs 5,000 per person to replace damaged tools and equipment. An additional Rs 5,000 per artisan will be provided to compensate for the loss of materials.
Assistance for silk farmers
Sericulture farmers cultivating Eri, Mulberry and Tasar silk will receive input assistance of Rs 6,000 per hectare. Muga silk farmers will be eligible for Rs 7,500 per hectare.
Silk farmers whose rearing houses have been completely damaged will receive financial assistance of Rs 1.75 lakh each.
The government has also prioritised the restoration of irrigation infrastructure in cyclone-affected villages.
The Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation has been directed to immediately undertake repairs of lift irrigation points in all affected villages. Majhi has instructed officials to ensure that every affected lift irrigation point becomes functional before the commencement of the Rabi season.
The assistance package is aimed at helping affected households rebuild damaged homes, enabling farmers to resume agricultural activities and restoring livelihoods across sectors affected by Cyclone Arnab. The government will continue relief and monitoring operations as it assesses the extent of the damage and prepares for possible further weather disturbances.
