A devastating landslide triggered by intense overnight rainfall has severed the Kalikaprasad–Gudugudia road inside the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary, isolating at least 30 to 40 villages in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
According to forest department sources, the landslide occurred in the late hours of Sunday due to relentless downpour sweeping across Karanjia town, Panchpida sub-division, and the Similipal region. The washed-away road section has paralysed connectivity to Barehipani, Gudugudia, and Astakumari panchayats.
Early this morning, officials from the Forest & Wildlife Division arrived at the site and launched emergency road repair operations. As of now, only two-wheelers are able to navigate the damaged route. Movement of four-wheelers remains completely suspended.
Odisha Forest, Environment, Climate Change, and Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia — who resides within this constituency — personally visited the location to assess the damage. He was joined by Northern Similipal DFO Prashant Patel, who oversaw the ongoing restoration work.
The situation is being monitored closely, with authorities striving to restore partial connectivity before further rains hamper recovery efforts.