Due to continuous rain in Odisha's Gajapati district, a landslide occurred, killing two villagers and leaving two others still missing. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of four lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased. Relief and rescue operations are underway, while waterlogging and traffic disruptions have also affected other districts.
Bhubaneswar: In Odisha's Gajapati district, two villagers, Trinath Nayak and Laxman Nayak, died in a landslide caused by heavy rain, while two people are still missing. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of four lakh rupees each to the affected families and dispatched Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena to monitor relief and rescue operations. Heavy rains have caused landslides, waterlogging, and road blockages in Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts, with the administration continuously carrying out rescue operations.
Chief Minister Expresses Deep Condolence
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow over this accident. He announced a compensation of four lakh rupees each for the families of the deceased. Additionally, he reviewed the situation with the District Collector and instructed Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena to visit Gajapati to monitor relief and rescue operations.
Cause and Location of Landslide
The landslide occurred in Bastiguda, under the R. Udaygiri police station. It was reported that villagers were returning home when the accident happened due to falling heavy rocks. Gajapati SP Jatindra Kumar Panda stated that the bodies of the deceased were recovered at night with the help of a JCB and sent for post-mortem. Similarly, another landslide in Budishila village had blocked a road, which the administration cleared.
Death While Crossing Stream Also Reported
In the Mohana police station area, a person was swept away by b currents while crossing a stream. The administration and local residents carried out rescue operations, but the person's body was recovered later. Similarly, another person died while attempting to cross a river during a landslide in Bandhaguda village, Mohana. This body was safely recovered in the morning as rescue was not possible earlier.
Rainfall and Weather Conditions
Due to continuous rain, landslides and waterlogging have occurred in many places across Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts. Traffic has been disrupted, and access to many rural areas has become difficult. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in these districts. The administration had already taken precautionary measures, but it is proving difficult to prevent damage due to the natural disaster situation.
Search for Missing Persons Continues
Following the landslide, Kartik Shabar (70) and his son Rajiv Shabar from Rayagada block are also missing. The administration and local residents are actively searching for them. Relief and rescue teams are continuously visiting affected areas and making efforts for safe rescue.
Authorities have established relief camps in the affected villages. People are being evacuated to safer places. The administration is putting its full strength into clearing roads, extracting vehicles trapped by landslides, and searching for missing persons. Local residents are assisting the administration's efforts.
