Bhubaneswar, October 31:At least four people have died, and 12 others remain missing following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall after Cyclone Arnab in Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference on the post-cyclone situation, the SRC said Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal are the three worst-affected districts due to incessant rainfall following the cyclone.

Providing details of the casualties, Patil said three members of a family lost their lives in a landslide at Raikia in Kandhamal district. In Gajapati, one person who had earlier been reported missing was subsequently found dead.

The major tragedy occurred at Gidipabali village under Bhanjanagar block in Ganjam district, where a massive landslide struck the hilltop settlement. Around 25 people were reportedly present at the site when the incident occurred.

Initially, 13 people were reported missing from the village. However, one elderly woman, identified as Tara Bati Pradhan, has been traced, while 12 others remain unaccounted for, the SRC said.

A massive search and rescue operation is underway, with 160 to 170 personnel from three Fire Services teams, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to locate the missing people. The operation has been continuing since Friday night.

Meanwhile, flood conditions are currently prevailing only in Ganjam district. The water level of the Rushikulya river is flowing below the danger mark, while the water level of the Jalaka river has receded.

On restoration measures, the SRC said road connectivity has been restored in almost all villages in Ganjam district. Only one village remains cut off from the outside world, and arrangements are being made to deliver relief materials there by air.

Relief materials and cooked food are being supplied to all flood-affected villages. Electricity supply in Aska town of Ganjam district is expected to be restored by Saturday. Around 80 to 85 per cent of the district's power infrastructure has already been restored, Patil added.

According to the SRC, a total of 367 relief camps have been opened in Ganjam district, where 1,05,622 people have been affected by the floods. In neighbouring Gajapati district, 21,782 people have been affected, with 340 relief camps established to provide shelter, food and other essential assistance.