Wayanad landslides: Body of one missing doc from Odisha found; search on for other

The development comes at a time when Kerala’s Wayanad is affected by devastating landslides that left at least 158 people dead

Published on: Jul 31, 2024, 16:01:25 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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A day after landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district killed 176 people, Odisha government on Wednesday said the body of one of the two doctors from Odisha who had gone missing while on vacation there, has been found.

Dr BP Chinhara, who had gone missing with fellow doctor Swadhin Panda, has been found among the debris. (AP photo)

The body of one missing doctor from Odisha was found in Kerala’s Wayanad while the search for the other doctor remains underway, officials said.

The development comes at a time when Kerala’s Wayanad is affected by devastating landslides that left at least 158 people dead.

Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the body of Dr Bishnu Prasad Chinhara, who had gone missing with fellow doctor Swadhin Panda has been found among the debris.

“The body of Dr Chinhara has been found after a thorough search while efforts are on to trace Dr Panda. A team led by a senior officer has been sent for identification of the body. The body will be brought to Odisha today,” said Pujati.

Also Read: Wayanad landslides: 2 doctors who went to Kerala for vacation missing; search on

Dr Chinhara and Dr Swadhin Panda had gone for a vacation in Kerala with their wives.

The couple had come to Wayanad on July 29 where they had checked into Linora Villa hotel.

However, the landslides in Meppadiand Chooral Mala hill areas on Monday night flooded the areas in the locality.

Chinhara’s father Amar Prasad Chinhara said he last spoke to his son on Monday night after they checked into the hotel.

“My daughter-in-law was rescued on Tuesday, and she called up from someone else’s mobile phone as they have lost everything in the landslide. There is no news about my son so far,” he said.

Dr Panda’s wife Swikruti is critical and undergoing treatment in a hospital.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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