Lok Sabha Question No. 4042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Impact of Cyclone Montha on Paddy Cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sudhakar Singh

## 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 17 TH  MARCH, 2026

## IMPACT OF CYCLONE MONTHA ON PADDY CULTIVATION

4042.    SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी 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 ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (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.

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