Odisha Declares Unseasonal Rain a Natural Calamity

Odisha declared unseasonal rain in December 2023 a natural calamity, allowing access to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to assist affected farmers. Over 6.66 lakh farmers reported more than 33% crop losses, with 2.26 lakh hectares of farmland damaged. The government allocated ₹291 crore for relief. The rains devastated agricultural productivity, leading to suicides among farmers. The declaration at the Krushi Odisha Conclave emphasized disaster response. This incident underscores the need for enhanced forecasting, better insurance, and sustainable farming practices to mitigate future climate-related risks.