Parliament Question: Impact of Cyclone Montha on Paddy Cultivation

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4042 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026 IMPACT OF CYCLONE MONTHA ON PADDY CULTIVATION 4042. SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether due to the impact of Cyclone Montha during the Chhath festival, in the State of Bihar particularly in districts like Buxar, Kaimur and Rohtas and several other areas, the paddy crop of farmers suffered extensive damage due to heavy rainfall and strong winds; (b) whether it is a fact that during the sensitive stage of panicle formation, the storms and rains caused the flowers of the paddy to fall, resulting in a decline of approximately 25 to 30 per cent in farmers' yield; (c) whether the Government has conducted a special crop damage assessment for the farmers affected by this natural disaster; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government is considering providing compensation, aid and special relief package to the affected farmers; and (f) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b): As per information received from the State Government of Bihar, an area of 6,357 hectares of crop damage exceeding 33% was reported in the district Kaimur (Bhabua). Nil report (no crop damage exceeding 33%) in the districts of Buxar and Rohtas was reported. No decline in productivity of paddy was received from Kaimur, Buxar and Rohtas districts. (c) & (d): On the basis of crop damage assessment report of District Magistrate, Kaimur (Bhabhua) 6,366 online applications were received from farmers in the affected panchayats of Kaimur district on DBT portal. An amount of Rs. 2,88,51,260 was provided as financial assistance to 3,206 flood-affected farmers as agricultural input subsidy.(e) & (f): As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the State Government is primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures on ground level in the wake of notified calamities including cyclones. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities from funds available in the form of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with the Government of India approved items and norms. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster of ‘severe nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) and a memorandum for assistance under NDRF submitted by the State/ UT Government. The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation. No memorandum regarding damages and losses due to Montha Cyclone has been received from the State Government of Bihar. The State Government of Bihar is allocated an amount of Rs.1836.00 crore (Rs.1376.80 crore Central share + Rs.459.20 crore State share) for the financial year 2025-2026 under SDRF, of which the first Instalment of Rs.688.40 crore, as Central share is released to the State. *****