Heavy Rain from Deep Depression Causes Landslides in Odisha, Resulting in One Death and Two Missing

A deep depression has led to heavy rainfall in Odisha, resulting in one death and two individuals missing due to landslides. The situation has disrupted normal life across the state.

Heavy rain, driven by a deep depression, severely impacted Odisha on Thursday. The state experienced widespread waterlogging, resulting in one death and two missing persons due to landslides. The depression intensified as it crossed the coast near Gopalpur in Ganjam district on Thursday evening, according to officials. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued rainfall until 8:30 am on Friday.

IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra stated that parts of Odisha would face heavy to very heavy rain on Thursday night. "The deep depression over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph during the past six hours, crossed Odisha coast close to Gopalpur around 5 PM," the IMD said. Rainfall is expected to persist until Friday morning.

Impact on Infrastructure and Transport

The severe weather disrupted train services in southern Odisha, particularly affecting the Kottavalasa-Kirandul and Koraput-Rayagada lines of the Waltair Division. The Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Night Express was cancelled, while the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam train was short-terminated at Koraput. Additionally, rainwater submerged a bridge in Koraput district, halting traffic on National Highway 326, which links Odisha with Andhra Pradesh.

In response to the heavy rain damage, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi instructed Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhasan Jena to visit the affected district for rescue operations. Majhi also directed the special relief commissioner to provide immediate assistance to the district administration. The water levels in various rivers have risen in Gajapati district, posing a risk of flooding in many areas.

Rescue Operations and Warnings

Rescue efforts are underway after a landslide in Gajapati district resulted in one death and two missing persons. "One person died and two others went missing in landslides at six places in Gajapati due to incessant rain for the past two days," SP Jatindra Kumar Panda reported. Seventy-year-old Kartika Shabara and his son Rajib Shabara went missing near Pekat under Rayagarh block.

The administration has deployed disaster management teams and machinery in vulnerable districts. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea along and off the Odisha coast until October 3. An IMD official reported that Gopalpur experienced maximum wind speeds of 73 kmph due to the deep depression.

Weather Alerts and Predictions

The IMD issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in seven districts, an orange warning for 16 districts, and a yellow alert for seven others. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre's Director Manorama Mohanty stated that Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal could see isolated rainfall above 20 cm until Friday morning.

The IMD predicts that the deep depression will continue moving north-northwest across south Odisha and weaken into a depression by October 3 morning. "Under the influence of the deep depression, squally wind with speed reaching 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, is very likely to prevail over the central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal on October 2," Mohanty added.

Twenty-four tourists stranded due to a landslide were rescued from Mahendragiri Hills. Meanwhile, two individuals sustained injuries when a decorative bamboo gate collapsed during Durga Puja celebrations at Balikuda. They were admitted to a local community health centre for treatment.

The IMD suggested hoisting local cautionary signal LC-3 at all ports in the state as a warning system for vessels. Almost all parts of Odisha have been experiencing heavy rain since Wednesday, especially coastal and southern regions.

With inputs from PTI