World · India Bureau
Odisha landslide rescue suspended as families begin final rites
Rescue operations at a landslide-affected village in Odisha's Kandhamal district have been temporarily halted after authorities determined that any remaining victims are likely buried under approximately 30 feet of debris. The decision has prompted affected families to prepare for final rituals.
LSN India ·
Officials suspended the ongoing rescue operation at the south Odisha village following a technical assessment that concluded further search efforts would prove futile given the scale and depth of the debris field. Kandhamal District Collector Vedbhusan indicated that geological experts had determined any remains would be entombed under nearly 30 feet of accumulated material from the landslide.
The temporary halt marks a significant shift in the response to the disaster, as authorities have concluded that the conditions on the ground no longer permit active rescue operations. The decision reflects the assessment that the buried debris poses insurmountable obstacles to locating additional victims.
With rescue efforts suspended, families of the missing and deceased have begun preparations for final funeral rites. The shift in operational focus underscores the grim realities confronting the affected community as they transition from emergency response to commemorating their losses.
The Kandhamal district, located in southern Odisha, has been prone to such geological events during monsoon seasons. Authorities have not yet disclosed the total death toll or the number of people still reported missing from the incident.