Two Killed in Odisha Landslides as Heavy Rainfall Triggers Disaster: Rescue Operations Ongoing

The meteorological department had issued a 'red alert' warning of extremely heavy rainfall across several districts in the region. (File)

Gajapati (Odisha):

Severe rainfall has wreaked havoc in Odisha's Gajapati district, resulting in devastating landslides that have claimed two lives.

According to Gajapati District Collector Madhumita's official statement on X, the deceased have been identified as Trinath Nayak from Bastriguda gram panchayat and Laxman Nayak from Meripalli gram panchayat.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep condolences over the tragic incident and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for each victim's family. The Chief Minister conducted a situation assessment with the district collector and instructed Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena to visit Gajapati personally to supervise relief and rescue operations.

In the rural area of Bastiguda under R Udaygiri police jurisdiction, a landslide occurred as residents were returning to their homes, causing large boulders to fall.

SP Gajapati Jatindra Kumar Panda informed ANI, "We deployed heavy machinery at night and recovered the deceased, whose bodies have been sent for postmortem. Another landslide in Budishila village blocked a road, which has since been cleared. In the Mohana police station jurisdiction, individuals crossing a stream were swept away by powerful currents; we recovered their bodies today following rescue operations. Similarly, in Bandhaguda village, a person attempting to cross a river during a landslide became trapped; recovery of the body was completed this morning after earlier rescue attempts proved impossible."

The continuous downpour has caused widespread disruption, including multiple landslides across Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts, extensive waterlogging, and transportation difficulties. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a 'red alert' warning of extremely heavy rainfall in numerous districts, prompting authorities to implement preventive measures.

Rescue teams are currently working to clear obstructed roads and locate missing individuals, including a father and son, Kartika Shabara (70) and Rajib Shabara, who disappeared following a landslide in Rayagada block.