Odisha Rainfall Disaster Leaves Two Dead, Government Announces Relief Measures

Torrential rainfall in Odisha’s Gajapati district has unleashed devastating landslides, claiming the lives of two individuals and causing widespread disruptions. The victims, identified as Trinath Nayak from Bastriguda gram panchayat and Laxman Nayak from Meripalli gram panchayat, perished in separate incidents as heavy rains battered the region, according to Gajapati District Collector Madhumita. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a ‘red alert’ for extremely heavy rainfall across multiple districts, including Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput, prompting urgent response measures from local authorities.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh for each victim’s family. Majhi held discussions with the district collector to evaluate the crisis and directed Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena to oversee relief and rescue operations in Gajapati.

Landslides have blocked roads and disrupted transport, particularly in rural areas like Bastriguda under R. Udaygiri police station, where large boulders fell, and in Budishila village, where a road was cleared after being obstructed. In Mohana, two additional fatalities were reported—one individual swept away by strong stream currents and another trapped during a river crossing amid a landslide.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams deploying heavy machinery, including JCBs, to recover bodies and clear debris. In Rayagada block, a father-son duo, Kartika Shabara, 70, and Rajib Shabara, remain missing following a landslide, with search efforts intensifying. Gajapati SP Jatindra Kumar Panda detailed the recovery of bodies sent for postmortem and ongoing efforts to locate missing persons, despite challenges posed by relentless rain and difficult terrain.

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The heavy rainfall, linked to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, has caused waterlogging and transport disruptions across southern Odisha. The IMD’s alert underscores the risk of further landslides and flooding, prompting authorities to urge residents to avoid vulnerable areas.

As rescue teams work tirelessly, the state government is mobilising resources to support affected communities and prevent further loss of life in this unfolding natural disaster.

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