Odisha landslide: 12 missing in Ganjam's Gidipabali after Cyclone Arnab
Synopsis
A landslide that swallowed a 25-person village in Odisha's Ganjam on 28 October has left 12 people missing four days later, with only one body recovered so far. The Indian Navy's Seismic Life Detection Unit is now scanning debris, while a second cyclonic storm looms over the Andhra Pradesh coast — threatening to compound an already severe relief effort affecting over 1.18 lakh people.
Key Takeaways
A massive landslide struck Gidipabali village , Ganjam district, Odisha , on 28 October 2025 , triggered by Cyclone Arnab .
12 persons remain missing; only 13 of 25 residents reached a relief centre; one body has been recovered.
SOG, NDRF, ODRAF and Indian Railways personnel are deployed at the site with a Seismic Life Detection Unit used by the Indian Navy.
A total of 1,18,730 people have been affected across Ganjam and Kandhamal districts; 75,855 evacuated to 396 relief camps .
Crop damage covers 75,388 hectares ; 1,672 houses damaged; 3 deaths reported in Kandhamal.
Authorities are monitoring a fresh cyclonic storm approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast .
Rescue operations remain on a war footing in Gidipabali village of Ganjam district, Odisha, where a massive landslide on 28 October 2025 — triggered by exceptional rainfall from Cyclone Arnab — has left 12 persons missing and claimed at least one confirmed fatality. The operation, involving multiple agencies and specialised technology, entered its fourth day on 1 November.
What Happened and Who Is Missing
According to Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, survivors who escaped the landslide on foot through dense forest — walking through the night to reach a relief centre — told authorities that the settlement had a population of 25. Only 13 of them made it to safety, leaving 12 unaccounted for.
'Of them, only 13 managed to reach the relief centre. So, naturally, 12 people remain missing. Whether they moved towards Kandhamal, crossed streams and drainage channels through the forest towards Ganjam, or went in some other direction is being investigated,' Minister Pujari said.
The body of one person has been recovered from the debris so far, according to official information.
Multi-Agency Rescue Effort
Personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed at the site under the supervision of the Collector and the Sub-Collector. The Indian Railways has also mobilised specialised manpower and heavy equipment to assist the state government in clearing debris following a separate landslide in Bhanjanagar on the Ganjam-Kandhamal border.
An advanced 'Seismic Life Detection Unit' — technology used by the Indian Navy, equipped with specialised sensors capable of detecting signs of life beneath soil, mud, or debris — has been deployed directly in the rescue operation to enhance its effectiveness.
Broader Cyclone Impact on Odisha
The landslide is one of the more severe consequences of Cyclone Arnab's passage through coastal Odisha. The Ganjam and Kandhamal districts have borne the heaviest damage. A total population of 1,18,730 has been affected by the disaster, while 75,855 people have been evacuated to safe locations.
396 relief camps have been set up to provide necessary assistance to the displaced. Separately, 807 pregnant women were shifted to safer facilities, of whom 399 have since given birth. Three deaths were reported in Kandhamal district due to the cyclone and its aftermath.
Damage to Agriculture and Infrastructure
The cyclone's footprint on the agrarian economy is significant. Crop area spanning 75,388 hectares has been damaged, alongside 1,672 houses. State authorities have described restoration work as progressing on a 'war footing' to normalise public life across affected districts.
Fresh Cyclonic Threat Being Monitored
Even as rescue efforts continue, the state administration is closely tracking a fresh cyclonic storm reportedly approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, which could bring renewed rainfall to already saturated districts. Authorities have indicated they are on alert for any secondary impact.
Point of View
Meaning residents often have no choice but to flee on foot when disaster strikes. The deployment of the Indian Navy's Seismic Life Detection Unit is a welcome escalation, but the four-day gap between the event and its deployment raises questions about response speed. With over 1.18 lakh people displaced and a second cyclonic system already forming, the state's relief machinery is being tested simultaneously on multiple fronts — and the agriculture damage across 75,388 hectares signals a livelihood crisis that will outlast the immediate emergency.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the landslide in Ganjam, Odisha?
The landslide in Gidipabali village of Ganjam district was caused by exceptional rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab on 28 October 2025. The intense precipitation destabilised hillsides, burying parts of the village and forcing survivors to flee on foot through forested terrain overnight.
How many people are missing after the Ganjam landslide?
As of 1 November 2025, 12 people remain missing after the landslide in Gidipabali village, which had a population of 25. Only 13 residents reached a relief centre; one body has been recovered from the debris.
Which agencies are conducting the rescue operation?
The rescue effort involves the Special Operations Group (SOG), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), supervised by the district Collector and Sub-Collector. Indian Railways has also deployed manpower and heavy equipment, and an Indian Navy Seismic Life Detection Unit is scanning the debris.
How many people have been affected by Cyclone Arnab in Odisha?
A total of 1,18,730 people have been impacted by the cyclone and subsequent floods across Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Of these, 75,855 have been evacuated to 396 relief camps, and 3 deaths were reported in Kandhamal.
What is the Seismic Life Detection Unit being used in Odisha?
The Seismic Life Detection Unit is a specialised technology used by the Indian Navy, equipped with sensors capable of detecting signs of life buried beneath soil, mud, or debris. It has been deployed at the Gidipabali landslide site to improve the chances of locating survivors.
