Two bodies were found in a landslide-stricken village in Odisha’s southern part, pushing the death toll to six in the wake of Cyclone Arnab, on Sunday. Authorities said their search of the area is continuing and 10 people are still missing.
Gidipabali is the hilltop village in the Gannjam – Kandhamal border, which was inundated by huge quantities of sludge and debris after the cyclone induced heavy rains. That the village, where some 26 inhabitants were said to have been living, was flattened, while toppled rubble rolled down the hillsides.
At least 13 people who managed to escape the landslide have been shifted to a relief centre near G Udaygiri, but were not in the landslide zone, said Kandhamal District Collector Vedbhusan.
Thousands Affected by Cyclone and Floods
Cyclone Arnab, which struck Andhra Pradesh on October 28 and originated in Odisha, and subsequent floods have impacted 1.18 lakh individuals in Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil added.
1,672 houses were damaged and 75,388 hectares of agricultural land were impacted. The state Government has informed families that they will receive a special relief package.
Odisha Prepares for Another Storm
Authorities are prepared on two fronts, relief and to rescue the people impacted by the Cyclone Arnab, as Cyclone Murasu approaches.
As recovery efforts in the state are ongoing, Odisha is upgrading its preparedness for Cyclone Murasu that is expected to make landfall at the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3.