Over ten people are feared missing after a massive landslide struck Gidipabali village in Odisha’s Ganjam district around 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Triggered by intense rainfall following Cyclone Arnab, a section of a nearby hill collapsed, dumping immense volumes of mud and debris over the settlement within minutes and burying several homes.
Desperate family members recounted harrowing tales of survival. While some residents managed to flee into nearby forests upon hearing the collapse, others were trapped under the rubble.
Several survivors walked for nearly two days through dense forest routes to reach Sipaiju village in neighbouring Kandhamala district to report the disaster.
Upon receiving the alert, Fire Services personnel mobilised from the Kandhamala side to launch high-risk rescue operations under adverse weather conditions.
Authorities have successfully rescued 57 people from two affected villages so far. The survivors were evacuated to Khilapanga village for urgent medical check-ups and essential aid administered by local administration and health department officials.
As anxiety mounts for families awaiting news of their loved ones, emergency teams are intensifying search operations across the debris field to locate those still unaccounted for.
