Odisha rescue operations halted as 10 remain missing after triple landslides

Rescue operations in Gidipabali village, Kandhamal district, have been called off after a series of three landslides struck the area within a single night, leaving ten residents unaccounted for. The decision to suspend search and rescue efforts was made by district collector Vedbhushan following consultation with technical experts who assessed the hazardous conditions at the site.

The multiple landslides overnight created an unstable terrain, raising concerns about the safety of rescue personnel attempting to access affected areas. Geological experts cautioned that the ground conditions remain precarious, with risks of further collapse that could endanger those involved in recovery operations.

The suspension marks a temporary halt to efforts to locate the missing villagers, though authorities have not indicated when rescue work might safely resume. The incident underscores the vulnerability of hilly regions in Odisha to landslides, particularly during monsoon seasons when soil saturation increases geological instability.

The district administration is maintaining vigilance over the affected zone and will reassess conditions as they evolve. Local residents have been advised to exercise caution in the vicinity of the disaster site.