12 missing after landslide in Odisha’s Ganjam; rain-related death toll rises to four

A landslide triggered by heavy rain caused by Cyclone Arnab has left at least 12 people missing and four confirmed dead in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The incident occurred on Friday in Gidipabali village, located on a hilltop along the border with Kandhamal district. The hamlet, which originally had 26 residents, had previously relocated 13 people due to the heavy rainfall.

One person has been rescued alive and taken to a relief shelter, while an extensive rescue operation involving over 170 personnel from various agencies continues. The death toll has since risen, with three family members, including a nine-month-old baby, killed in a landslide in Raikia block, Kandhamal district, and another fatality reported in Gajapati district.

Despite the water level in the Rushikulya river falling below danger levels and floodwaters receding, nearly 40,000 people remain sheltering in 367 relief camps across Ganjam. Over 1.05 lakh people have been affected by the floods in Ganjam, and more than 25,000 in Gajapati district. Officials anticipate the situation to improve as communication is restored, though floodwaters remain stagnant in some villages.

The IMD has forecast the formation of another cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, which could intensify into a major storm and make landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast by November 2nd.