Argus News - Gajapati Landslide: Rescue Teams Battle Mud to Find Missing Father-Son Duo

Gajapati, Oct 4: A tragic landslide in the remote village of Pekat in Gajapati district has left the region in shock and despair.

More than 40 hours have passed since the incident, yet there is no trace of the two missing individuals — a father and son — who were reportedly buried under the soil while working on their farmland.

Also read: CM Majhi Expresses Grief over Landslide and Flood Deaths

The landslide occurred suddenly, engulfing the duo in a massive wave of mud and debris. Rescue teams suspect that the two victims may be trapped beneath the ground and have deployed heavy machinery, including chain-JCBs and Proclain excavators, to dig through the thick layers of soil.

However, the terrain remains extremely challenging due to heavy slush and unstable ground, making excavation efforts slow and dangerous.

Local authorities have confirmed that the entire area is waterlogged and slippery, further complicating the search operation. Despite continuous efforts, the rescue teams have yet to locate the missing individuals, and hope is slowly fading among family members and villagers.

Adding to the crisis, the main road leading to the village has collapsed due to the landslide, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt. A massive boulder now blocks the route, and officials have indicated that blasting operations may be carried out to clear the path.