Bhubaneswar, Aug. 3 (UDN): With floodwaters receding across most affected areas, the Odisha government has launched a comprehensive assessment of damage to homes, crops and infrastructure, while announcing financial assistance for families and farmers hit by the recent floods.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said officials from the Revenue and Agriculture departments have begun joint field inspections to evaluate losses and identify eligible beneficiaries for compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines.
As part of the relief package, families whose houses have been completely destroyed will receive financial assistance of up to ₹1.20 lakh. Owners of partially damaged kutcha houses will be eligible for ₹4,000, while those whose huts have been damaged will receive ₹8,000.
The government has also announced compensation for crop losses. Farmers cultivating rainfed crops will receive ₹8,500 per hectare, while assistance has been fixed at ₹17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops and ₹22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.
According to official estimates, the floods have affected 22 districts, impacting 85 blocks, 656 gram panchayats, 15 urban local bodies and 1,458 villages. More than 8.63 lakh people have been affected, while 2.67 lakh residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to safer locations, including relief shelters.
The minister said damage assessment has commenced in areas where floodwaters have fully receded, although waterlogging continues in some low-lying pockets. The survey will be carried out in phases to ensure that relief reaches all eligible beneficiaries.
To expedite rehabilitation efforts, the state government has sanctioned ₹36.98 crore as the first instalment of relief funds for distribution among the affected districts based on preliminary assessment reports.
The government said the damage survey will continue over the coming days, with compensation to be disbursed after verification, as part of its broader effort to support flood-affected families and restore normalcy across the state.