Odisha authorities suspend search for 10 missing villagers a week after landslides

Local authorities in Odisha have temporarily suspended search operations for 10 missing residents seven days after three consecutive landslides buried seven homes in Gidipabali village. Kandhamal district collector Vedbhushan stated that the decision followed consultations with technical experts and was necessary due to treacherous weather and the risk of further earthfalls. The disaster struck on the night of October 28 when Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast. The cyclone brought torrential rainfall to the remote village located along the Ganjam-Kandhamal border. Survivors reported that a deafening roar woke them around 2am as muddy water rushed through the lanes and the hillside gave way. Twenty-five villagers fled into the darkness. It took 13 survivors two days to reach a nearby cyclone shelter and alert authorities due to difficult terrain, blocked roads, and the remote location. The state government subsequently mobilized over 400 personnel, including members of the Special Operations Group, ODRAF, NDRF, Fire Services, railway workers, Mines Department officials, and veterinary staff. Rescuers have recovered only two bodies so far, despite using sniffer dogs, deep-penetration radars, and life-detection equipment. Blasting operations yielded little result, and remaining bodies may be buried more than 30 feet deep under massive boulders. A fire services official noted that some boulders are as big as a room and require controlled blasting using specialized manual drill heads.

Context

Landslides triggered by severe cyclonic storms often cause massive destruction in hilly, remote forested terrains where heavy debris makes rescue logistics extremely difficult. Authorities must balance the urgent need to find missing persons against the safety of rescue workers when unstable weather and deep mud create ongoing hazards.