Incessant rain triggers landslide in Odisha’s Gajapati, road link cut off

Continuous rainfall in the Gajapati district has triggered a landslide in the Mohana region on Thursday, obstructing the key ghat road connecting Paniganda to Chandrapur in Rayagada district.

Loose soil and fallen trees from the hillside have blocked vehicular movement, disrupting local traffic and raising concerns over travel safety in the hilly terrains.

Sources reported that the landslide occurred in the Duruduma ghat area of Gardama Panchayat, where the saturated soil gave way following overnight showers. Following the rain, a portion of the ghat road gave way, leading to long traffic lines and blocked access for rescue personnel.

Trees uprooted by the heavy downpour further compounded the blockage, leaving residents and commuters stranded. Local authorities are assessing the situation and mobilising resources to clear the road.

Reports added that continuous rainfall in the region has made the hill slopes vulnerable. While authorities are monitoring the situation closely for any additional landslides, the risk of one occurring remains high.

Widespread Rainfall Alert In Odisha

The landslide coincides with a developing deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal, which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned could cross the Odisha-Andhra coast between Paradip and Gopalpur from midnight today to tomorrow morning.

The system is advancing northwestwards at roughly 10 kmph and is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across coastal districts, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, during the Dussehra festivities.

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IMD Alerts

The IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts, while 14 other districts have been placed under orange and yellow warnings.

Authorities have cautioned residents to stay alert and avoid travel in vulnerable areas, particularly in hilly and low-lying regions prone to flooding or landslides.