Three family members killed in Odisha landslide in Kandhamal district
A seven-month-old infant was among those who died after a landslide swept away a house in Raikia block.
A landslide in Dangesi village of Kandhamal district killed three members of a family, including an infant, in the early hours of Thursday, according to The New Indian Express. The deceased have been identified as Achyutananda Pradhan, 35, his wife Manasi Pradhan, 28, and their seven-month-old baby.
The landslide occurred in Raikia block after torrential rain. Villagers reported that nearly 15 houses were washed away in the incident. The bodies of the Pradhan family were recovered from beneath mud and debris on Friday, approximately 200 metres from their house.
Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the debris from a hill buried the house. He stated that around 450 people from the area were evacuated to a relief camp. Two other individuals, Sumitra Pradhan, 60, and Dutta Pradhan, 35, were rescued by the fire brigade and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh for each of the three deceased. The Chief Minister also conducted an aerial survey of Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Friday.
In Ganjam district, a 36-year-old man named Panda Nayak died after falling into a flooded drain near Baradi village on Thursday. Additionally, 50-year-old Bijay Nayak of Chaitanyaprasad village reportedly died after returning from a cyclone shelter on Thursday.
Ganjam collector Keerthi Vasan said the incidents would be verified. Heavy rainfall has also disrupted road connectivity between Berhampur, Mohana, and Rayagada.