Four people are dead, and twelve others remain missing in Odisha after Cyclone Arnab unleashed a deadly combination of heavy rainfall, flooding, and a major landslide in the Ganjam district. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil confirmed the toll during a press conference, noting that three members of a single family perished in Raikia block of Kandhamal, while a fourth victim from Gajapati district was also confirmed dead. The tragedy has left 12 people unaccounted for in Gidipabali village near Bhanjanagar, where 13 were initially reported missing after the slope gave way. Only one person from that group has been traced so far, leaving rescue teams scrambling to find the rest.
The search operation is getting a high-tech boost. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced that an advanced Indian Navy helicopter will depart from Bhubaneswar Airport to fly directly over the Gidipabali debris field. The aircraft will scan the area to determine if anyone is trapped beneath the soil and rubble. On the ground, heavy machinery including pulling machines is clearing the site, with hundreds of workers engaged in the grim task of sifting through the aftermath.
The cyclone’s impact was heaviest in Ganjam, where Patrapur block recorded the state’s highest rainfall. The state government has established 367 relief camps in the district to house 1,05,622 affected people. Gajapati district is also grappling with the fallout, with 21,782 people displaced and 340 relief camps set up. Connectivity has been restored to nearly all villages, but one remains cut off, prompting plans for an air-drop of relief materials.
The flooding situation is contained for now, with the Rushikulya River’s water level remaining below the danger mark. However, the administration has not let its guard down, seeking assistance from the Railways and deploying an expert team to Ganjam. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik voiced his grief on X, urging the state government to prioritize the rescue of the missing and restore normalcy. He extended condolences to the bereaved families, a somber note in a region still reeling from the storm’s fury.
Rescue operations will continue throughout the day as the Navy helicopter begins its scanning mission. The primary focus remains on the Gidipabali landslide site, where time is critical for locating any potential survivors. Relief supplies and cooked food are being distributed across the affected camps to ensure immediate needs are met while the long process of recovery begins.