G.Udayagiri: A massive landslide triggered by incessant rainfall under the influence of Cyclone ‘Arnab’ has devastated Gidipabali village on the Ganjam-Kandhamal border, leaving 13 people missing, while 11 others have been rescued.
The landslide struck the village under Baibali panchayat of Bhanjanagar block in Ganjam district around 3 am on Wednesday, when residents were asleep. A sudden avalanche of mud, boulders, uprooted trees and water cascaded down a nearby hill, burying houses and sweeping through the settlement.
According to preliminary information, nine families comprising 26 members were living in the village. While 11 people managed to escape, 13 remain unaccounted for. Two other women, who sustained serious injuries after being buried under mud and debris, have been rescued and admitted to the Ghumusar Udayagiri health centre.
The survivors include two 15-month-old twin infants and an eight-year-old boy. Having lost their homes and belongings, the survivors spent Wednesday night in the surrounding hills without adequate food or water. After struggling to reach safety, they arrived at a temporary shelter set up at Kilapanga Primary School under Katingia panchayat around 2 pm on Thursday.
Recounting the terrifying experience, survivor Rinima Mallik said a loud rumbling sound woke the villagers around 3 am. Before they could realise what was happening, a huge mass of mud, stones, trees and water came rushing down from the hill and engulfed their houses. She said her husband was still missing.
The missing persons have been identified as Rabi Mallik, Sanaman Pradhan, Baladev Pradhan, Bijay Pradhan, Pratap Pradhan, Jayanti Pradhan, Padma Pradhan, Durgasini Pradhan, Bijayalaxmi Pradhan, Rajalaxmi Pradhan, Chimpu Pradhan, Tarabati Pradhan and Sumitra Pradhan.
The two injured women, Samita Mallik and Manima Pradhan, were reportedly trapped under mud and stones but managed to escape. They were later spotted by Ghumusar Udayagiri Block Development Officer (BDO) Satyanarayan Mishra while he was visiting the Balingia landslide-hit area. He immediately arranged for their transportation to the health centre.
Meanwhile, eight villagers led by Belarshan Pradhan of Kilapanga village visited the affected area and searched for the missing persons but failed to locate anyone.
Following the incident, the administrations of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, along with the Baliguda administration, have launched search and rescue operations.
Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector Umashankar Behera confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to trace the missing villagers.
Ganjam Police said the search operation was continuing and further details would be shared as soon as the missing persons were traced.
