Bhubaneswar, May 16, 2025: The Odisha government has officially declared unseasonal rain as a state-specific disaster, a move aimed at providing timely compensation to farmers affected by crop damage. 
The decision was announced by Minister Suresh Pujari, who explained that unseasonal rainfall between November and May, which harms agricultural produce, will now be recognized as a state disaster, enabling affected farmers to receive financial aid.
This inclusion means that whenever unseasonal rainfall causes agricultural losses in any district of the state during the specified period, the government will assess the damage and disburse compensation accordingly. The move comes as a relief to farmers who frequently face financial distress due to unpredictable weather conditions outside the monsoon season.
Odisha, primarily an agrarian economy, has witnessed increasing instances of erratic weather patterns in recent years, with unseasonal rains severely affecting standing crops. By categorizing such events as state disasters, the government ensures quicker response mechanisms and direct financial assistance to affected farmers under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The decision has been welcomed by farmer unions and opposition leaders, who have long demanded better protection for agriculturists against climate-induced losses. The state government has also directed district administrations to expedite damage assessment surveys to ensure prompt aid distribution.
This policy shift underscores Odisha’s proactive approach to climate resilience and farmer welfare, setting a precedent for other states grappling with similar agricultural challenges.
The decision was announced by Minister Suresh Pujari, who explained that unseasonal rainfall between November and May, which harms agricultural produce, will now be recognized as a state disaster, enabling affected farmers to receive financial aid.
Speaking on the classification of disasters, Pujari stated, "There are two types of disasters—those notified at the national level and those declared as local disasters at the state level. Earlier, Odisha had eight categories listed as state-specific disasters. Now, unseasonal rain leading to crop damage has been added as the ninth item on the list."
This inclusion means that whenever unseasonal rainfall causes agricultural losses in any district of the state during the specified period, the government will assess the damage and disburse compensation accordingly. The move comes as a relief to farmers who frequently face financial distress due to unpredictable weather conditions outside the monsoon season.
Odisha, primarily an agrarian economy, has witnessed increasing instances of erratic weather patterns in recent years, with unseasonal rains severely affecting standing crops. By categorizing such events as state disasters, the government ensures quicker response mechanisms and direct financial assistance to affected farmers under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The decision has been welcomed by farmer unions and opposition leaders, who have long demanded better protection for agriculturists against climate-induced losses. The state government has also directed district administrations to expedite damage assessment surveys to ensure prompt aid distribution.
This policy shift underscores Odisha’s proactive approach to climate resilience and farmer welfare, setting a precedent for other states grappling with similar agricultural challenges.
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