G. Udayagiri, Nov 11: In an emotional and heartbreaking scene, family members of six people still missing after the devastating Gidipabali landslide paid floral tributes to their photographs after the suspension of the rescue operation.

The tribute programme was organised at Biju Patnaik Kalyan Mandap in G. Udayagiri, where the affected families are currently taking shelter. The family members offered floral garlands, lit incense sticks and earthen lamps, praying for the eternal peace of the missing persons.

The devastating landslide occurred at around 3 AM on Wednesday, the 28th, following continuous heavy rainfall triggered by a cyclone. The incident took place at Gidipabali village under Baibali Panchayat, along the Kandhamal-Ganjam district border. Nine houses were buried under mud and rocks in the disaster.

According to reports, 26 people were living in the affected village. While 13 people were rescued alive, another 13 went missing following the landslide.

After the incident, the affected villagers took shelter at the cyclone relief centre in Kilapanga. Subsequently, rescue operations commenced on Saturday, the 31st, with the district administration and other officials supervising the operation.

The rescue teams worked tirelessly for eight days and managed to recover the bodies of seven missing persons. However, despite prolonged search efforts, the remaining six could not be traced.

Following requests from villagers and discussions with the administration, the rescue operation was eventually suspended.

The six missing persons have been identified as Tarabati Pradhan, Baladev Pradhan, Sumitra Pradhan, Pratap Pradhan, Jayanti Pradhan and Pada Pradhan.

With the suspension of the search operation, their family members organised the symbolic tribute ceremony, expressing their grief and praying for the departed souls. The atmosphere turned deeply emotional as relatives remembered their loved ones.

The programme reflected the immense pain of families who had waited for days with the hope of seeing their missing relatives return home.