Five family members found dead after Odisha landslide search
The recovery of the victims in Ganjam district brings the total death toll from the Gidipabali village landslide to seven.
The bodies of five members of a single family were recovered from beneath debris at landslide-hit Gidipabali village in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Thursday, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
The victims, who had been missing since the landslide struck on October 28, included a couple and their three children. The recovery brings the total death toll in the disaster to seven.
The bodies were retrieved in two phases, with three found in the morning and two in the afternoon. The deceased were identified as Aruna Pradhan, Bhumika Pradhan, Bijay Pradhan, Bijaylakshmi Pradhan, and Bagri Pradhan.
Odisha steel and mines minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, who is in charge of Ganjam district, said the recovery of the five family members was extremely tragic. He stated the administration is extending all possible assistance to the affected people.
The landslide occurred on the night of October 28 at Gangubali hill, following heavy rainfall after Cyclone Arnab. At least nine houses were completely destroyed in the disaster.
A joint team of approximately 170 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services is engaged in the operation. Kandhamal Collector Vedbhusan said rescue operations will resume tomorrow to search for anyone else who may be missing.