Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a comprehensive relief package for families impacted by Cyclone Arnab, which recently battered several districts in the state. The announcement came after Majhi chaired a meeting on October 31, 2026, to assess the damage and ongoing recovery efforts.
The relief package includes 50kg of rice and ₹2,500 in cash for each affected family. This initiative aims to alleviate the immediate hardships faced by residents in the hardest-hit areas, particularly in the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal. The cyclone's aftermath has left thousands of acres of crops destroyed and numerous homes damaged.
Majhi emphasized that the primary focus remains on distributing relief and restoring normalcy. He expressed optimism that affected areas would see improvements within a couple of days, as the administration is actively engaged in recovery efforts. The Chief Minister also noted that the relief measures would be reassessed following the passage of another expected cyclonic storm along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
For farmers, the package offers substantial support. Small and marginal farmers who have suffered crop losses of 33% or more will receive an agricultural input subsidy. This includes ₹8,500 per hectare for rain-fed and non-irrigated lands, and ₹17,000 per hectare for irrigated areas. Perennial crops like mango and cashew will see assistance of ₹22,500 per hectare. A minimum subsidy of ₹2,500 is set for perennial crops, with ₹1,000 for non-irrigated areas.
Additionally, affected farmers will receive ₹18,000 to clear sand and silt from their fields. The state will also distribute 1.75 lakh mini kits to farmers at no cost, further aiding agricultural recovery.
In the housing sector, the government has pledged ₹1.20 lakh for fully damaged houses in plains and ₹1.30 lakh for those in hilly regions. Partially damaged pucca and kutcha houses will receive ₹6,500 and ₹4,000, respectively.
Small shops, street vendors, and kiosks affected by the cyclone will receive ₹10,000 in compensation, while larger commercial establishments will be granted ₹25,000. For the fishing community, the state has allocated ₹22,500 for boat purchases and ₹15,000 for fishing nets. Fish farmers will benefit from financial assistance covering up to 75% of costs, at a rate of ₹1.12 lakh per hectare.
Artisans in the handicrafts and handloom sectors will also receive aid, with ₹5,000 allocated per artisan for equipment replacement and an additional ₹5,000 for losses related to raw materials, goods in process, or finished goods.
