Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) directed District Collectors to immediately assess the damage caused to crops due to rains under the influence of cyclone Michaung.

In a letter to the Collectors, SRC Satyabrata Sahu, said, "I am to say that widespread rain has been observed across that state during the past couple of days under the influence of Cydone "Michaung', which might have caused damage to standing Kharif crops and horticulture crops. To ameliorate the sufferings of the affected farmers, Agricultural Input Subsidy (AIS), as per norms of the State Disaster Response Fund, will be provided to farmers sustaining crop loss of 33% and above."

The SRC also requested the Collectors to conduct field-level crop loss assessment through joint inquiry by the officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management department and Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment department through eye estimation to ascertain the crop area damaged of 33% and above, and submit ULB/ Bock GP/village-wise report as per the format enclosed by December 12.

"While assessing the extent of crop loss, the land schedule/ROR of affected farmers should be verified from Bhulekh. Collectors will accord approval of crop loss (famer-wise extent of crop area damaged as assessed) and intimate requirement of funds or disbursement of AIS as admissible," the letter stated.

The officer of the Special Relief Commissioner further mentioned that geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs of the damaged crop area must be taken during assessment and preserved in the case records.

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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm Michaung has weakened and won't have any disastrous impact.

In the next 12 hours, the cyclonic storm will move north-northeastward and further weaken. Its impact has also decreased, the IMD informed.

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