Public Welfare / From House Damage to Crop Loss: Odisha Govt Reveals Full Flood Compensation Package

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3: Odisha government on Monday began a comprehensive assessment of losses caused by the recent floods, even as it announced additional financial assistance for affected districts and said compensation would be disbursed alongside the assessment process.

Revenue and Agriculture Department officials have begun field surveys to assess damage to houses, crops and livestock across the affected areas, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed.

The Minister said the preliminary estimate of flood-related losses stands at Rs 42.80 crore. The state government has already released Rs 36.98 crore to District Collectors, while an additional Rs 110 crore will be transferred on Monday to support relief and rehabilitation measures.

The minister said compensation to affected families would begin simultaneously with the damage assessment.

Funds Released For Livestock, Relief Camps
The government has earmarked Rs 12.88 crore towards compensation for the loss of livestock and domestic animals.

Another Rs 26 crore has been released for the operation of relief centres across the flood-hit districts.

Compensation Norms Announced
Under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, affected families will receive compensation as follows:

Fully damaged house: Rs 1.20 lakh
Partially damaged pucca house: Rs 6,500
Partially damaged kutcha house: Rs 4,000
Damaged hut: Rs 8,000
Damaged cattle shed: Rs 3,000

Also Read: Odisha's Bhima Bhoi Scheme Gets Major Overhaul; Check If You're Now Eligible

Crop Loss Compensation
Farmers will receive compensation based on the type of land affected:

Rainfed (unirrigated) land: Rs 8,500 per hectare
Irrigated land: Rs 17,000 per hectare
Long-duration/perennial crops: Rs 22,500 per hectare

Compensation For Human And Livestock Loss
The government will provide:

Loss of human life: Rs 4 lakh
Death of a cow: Rs 37,500
Death of a bull or buffalo: Rs 32,000
Death of a calf: Rs 20,000
Death of a goat or sheep: Rs 4,000

The minister also said Rs 1.05 crore will be provided to an official from the Fire Services department who had died during a rehabilitation operation.

Over 8.63 Lakh People Affected
According to the latest official figures, the floods have affected:

22 districts
85 blocks
15 urban local bodies
656 gram panchayats
1,458 villages

A total of 8,63,909 people have been affected, while 2,67,301 people were evacuated to safer places. The government operated 529 relief camps during the flood response, Pujari added.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the state administration is expediting both the assessment and compensation process to ensure assistance reaches affected families in a timely manner.