Odisha has no equipment, can use explosives to rescue landslide victims

Massive boulders and mud blocks completely cover a road following a landslide triggered by heavy and continuous rainfall in Gajapati on Saturday, October 31, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI Video Grab

BHUBANESWAR

Five people have been killed and 10 others are feared trapped under debris after heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Arnab triggered massive landslides in Odisha. Of the five dead, three were killed in a landslide in Dangeshi village in Kandhamal district and two deaths were reported in a landslide in Ganjam district. Disaster management authorities are now closely monitoring cyclonic storm Murasu, which threatens to trigger more landslides across the state.

Five died in two separate landslides. While three people died in a landslide in Dangeshi village of Kandhamal district, two deaths were reported and 10 others were missing in the current case in Ganjam district.

While Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and technical teams of Indian Railways have been working for nearly 50 hours to rescue survivors trapped under landslide debris at Gidipabali village in Bhanjanagar block of Ganjam district, the state government is bracing for cyclonic storm Murasu and has identified only 150 locations in Gapatine area.

Arnab unleashed heavy rain on Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Gajapati is likely to be hit again.

The remote village of Gidipabali was hit by a landslide on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), burying seven houses. Ten people remain unaccounted for. Survivors managed to alert the district authorities after overcoming physical barriers, but rescue teams did not arrive until Friday (October 30, 2026).

“Massive boulders were tumbling into the village. Since there is no road access, cranes and earthmoving machinery cannot be deployed. We have sought the help of experienced railway engineers who have experience in controlled blasting of boulders. We are looking into this possibility,” Director General of Police (Fire) Sudhansu Sarangi said on Sunday (November 2026).

The situation may worsen

Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil warned that the situation could worsen as the soil is already saturated and heavy rain is forecast in south Odisha under the influence of Murasu. “We have directed district collectors to evacuate people from vulnerable areas,” he said.

Evacuation measures before the cyclone began on Sunday (1/11/2026) evening and are scheduled to continue on Monday (2/11/2026).

India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, Director Manorama Mohanty said that south and south coastal areas of Odisha are likely to experience heavy rainfall as Cyclone Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.

“While several districts of Odisha are likely to see rain, those in the southern region need to take extra precautions in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall,” she said.

Malkangiri and Nabarangpur district administrations have already announced the closure of schools and colleges.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 21:17 IST