Bhubaneswar, 31 October (H.S.): At least four people have died and 12 others remain missing following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall after Cyclone Arnab in Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said on Saturday. Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal are among the worst-affected districts.

Providing details at a press conference, the SRC said three members of a family lost their lives in a landslide at Raikia in Kandhamal district. In Gajapati, a person who had earlier been reported missing was subsequently confirmed dead.

A major landslide struck Gidipabali village under Bhanjanagar block in Ganjam district. Situated on a hilltop, the village had around 25 people at the site when the landslide occurred. Thirteen people were initially reported missing. While an elderly woman, identified as Tara Bati Pradhan, has been traced, 12 people remain unaccounted for.

Around 160–170 personnel from three Fire Services teams, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for the search and rescue operation, which has been underway since Friday night, the SRC said.

The flood situation is currently confined to Ganjam district. The Rushikulya river is flowing below the danger mark, while the water level in the Jalaka river has receded.

Road connectivity has been restored in almost all villages in Ganjam, with only one village remaining cut off. Arrangements are being made to deliver relief supplies to the isolated village by air. Relief materials and cooked food are being provided to all flood-affected villages.

The SRC also said electricity supply in Aska was expected to be restored on Saturday. Around 80–85 per cent of the power infrastructure in Ganjam district has already been restored.

According to the SRC, 367 relief camps have been opened in Ganjam district, where 1,05,622 people have been affected by the floods. In Gajapati, 21,782 people have been affected, with 340 relief camps established to provide shelter and food.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda