Bhubaneswar, November 10: Search and rescue operations at landslide-ravaged Gidipabali village in Ganjam district have been suspended following written requests from the families of those still missing. Of the 11 people who went missing in the devastating landslide on October 28, only five bodies have been recovered, while six remain buried under the debris.

According to sources, the families submitted written applications to the district administration, requesting an end to the search operation. They said their relatives and houses were buried under nearly 30 feet of debris and massive boulders, making further recovery efforts extremely difficult.

The affected families have urged the administration to prioritise their rehabilitation and provide land for relocation along with financial assistance to rebuild their lives. They said they could not continue living in temporary shelters indefinitely.

The tragedy struck Gidipabali village under Baibali Panchayat in Bhanjanagar block, near the Ganjam-Kandhamal border, around 3 am on October 28. Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab caused a massive landslide, sending mud, huge boulders, uprooted trees and torrents of water down the hillside. Several houses were buried while residents were asleep.

Around 100 personnel were deployed for the rescue operation. However, the challenging terrain, poor road connectivity and enormous boulders, some as large as houses, severely hampered the efforts, preventing heavy machinery from reaching the affected site. Despite days of intensive operations, only five bodies could be recovered.

With the search operation now suspended, the affected families are looking towards the state government for immediate rehabilitation, relocation assistance and long-term support to rebuild their lives.