Cyclone Hudhud affects 247,557 ha farm land in Odisha

40,484.5 hectares have sustained crop loss of over 50 per cent

The very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud has impacted 247,557 hectares (ha) of agricultural land in Odisha of which 40,484.5 ha have sustained crop loss of over 50 per cent.

A preliminary damage assessment report by the state agriculture department has pegged the crop loss valuation at Rs 23.77 crore.

The cultivable area has been affected in eight southern Odisha districts- Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada.

The crop loss area includes 25170 ha of rainfed area, 13374 ha of irrigated area and 346.5 ha of perennial area.

The agriculture department has sought an assistance of Rs 4500 per ha for crops damaged in rainfed area, Rs 9000 per ha for irrigated area and Rs 12,000 per ha for perennial area.

The damage to electrical infrastructure by Hudhud has been assessed at Rs 104.35 crore. The cyclonic storm had affected 773,691 electrical consumers, mainly in southern Odisha districts like Rayagada, Koraput Gajapati, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.

The cyclone has ravaged seven power transformers, 1754 distribution transformers, 1088 LT (low tension) lines, 2500 number of 11 KV feeders and 125 number of 33 KV feeders.

The state government is set to send the detailed report to the Centre shortly on damage inflicted by the cyclone.