Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the devastating landslide at Gidipabali village near the Ganjam-Kandhamal border rose to seven on Thursday after rescuers recovered five more bodies buried under the debris. All five victims belonged to the same family, including a couple, their two daughters and a son.
The deceased have been identified as Bijay Pradhan, his wife Bhumika Pradhan, their son Arun Pradhan and daughters Bijayalaxmi Pradhan and Rajalaxmi Pradhan.
Two bodies had been recovered earlier from the landslide debris. With the latest recovery, seven of the 13 persons reported missing in the disaster have been found dead, while six others remain untraced.
The landslide struck Gidipabali village under Baibali Gram Panchayat in Bhanjanagar block around 3 am on October 28. Nine houses in the hilltop settlement were buried under massive rocks, uprooted trees and mud as torrents of water swept down the hillside.
While 13 villagers managed to escape and subsequently took shelter at a relief camp in Kandhamal district, 13 others were trapped under the debris.
The Odisha government had mobilised multiple agencies, including the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Services and the Railways, to conduct the search and rescue operation.
Rescue teams had earlier retrieved two bodies from beneath the debris. However, persistent rainfall hampered the operation, forcing authorities to suspend the search on Wednesday.
The operation resumed on Thursday after a day’s break, leading to the recovery of five more bodies. Search efforts are continuing to trace the six remaining missing persons.
