As many as 12 persons, including five children, lost their lives while four others went missing due to a landslide following torrential rains triggered by Cyclone Titli at Barghara village under Gangabada panchayat of Rayagada block in Gajapati district on Friday night.
The deceased were identified as Dandapani Bhuyan, Sumitra Bhuyan, Somanath Kathren, Jagan Kathi, Minakshi Shabar, Gangadhara Behera, Dinesh Bhuyan, Lalu Behera, Jayachandra Bhutan, Suramati Jani and Champa Bhutan.
The villagers, who were still missing, were identified as Kati Bhuyan, Basanti Bhuyan, Basumati Bhuyan and Bishambara Shabara.
As per reports, during the cyclonic storm, the houses of some villagers were damaged. Finding no way other out, 21 people took shelter in a cave. But due to the storm and incessant rains, they got buried in a landslide.
“It is confirmed that 12 persons have died in the landslide,” said Special Development Council chairman Antaryami Gamang.
Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said the Gajapati SP and Collector would visit the spot and take stock of the situation.
“After postmortem of the bodies, financial assistance would be provided to the kin of the deceased as per the Government provisions,” said Sethi.