The unseasonal rains and hailstorm that hit north coastal districts on December 11 and 12 claimed eight lives apart from damaging standing crop and houses.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minster Surya Narayan Patro on Friday informed the Assembly that Balasore, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts were affected by the sudden downpour and hailstorm. In Balasore, at least 25 per cent crop over 5,800 hectares was hit by the unseasonal rains.
Patro said an ex gratia of Rs 1.50 lakh is being released to each bereaved family, while the injured are being given compensation too.