As many as people who had climbed up a hill to save themselves from the cyclonic storm Titli on Wednesday were killed in a landslide while three others were injured, according to delayed reports reaching here.

Shockingly, the district administration and the state government had no information about the tragedy even as it persisted with its claim of “zero casualty”.

A few mediapersons managed to trek 8 km uphill to reach the almost inaccessible spot after getting information of the deaths from a villager of the area who had managed to reach a village in bordering Andhra Pradesh.

Heart wrenching scenes awaited the mediapersons as they saw bodies strewn around, in a decomposed state. The rocks had crushed those people to death, and the gushing waters had swept them to a distance.

“Nobody had forewarned us of the cyclonic storm Titli. The wind and heavy downpour blew our houses away and many of us climbed up the hill to save ourselves,” said a wailing woman. They had taken shelter under a cave like structure when the killer landslide due to heavy rains took place and swept away 16 of them.

The Nagabali river cut them off, preventing them from reaching other safer areas.

They belonged to Gangabada panchayat under Raigad block of Gajapati district. The villagers of the panchayat depend on bordering area of Andhra Pradesh – less than 20 km away — for their needs.

“We have heard of the deaths, but cannot confirm till our team which left the district headquarter reaches the place and gives us a report,” said a district official.

Unofficially, the toll due to Cyclone Titli and subsequent floods is said to be 20.

Reacting to opposition allegation that so far 30 people have been killed in the cyclone and floods while the government was talking about zero casualty, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the Titli was the second largest single natural calamity after the 1999 super cyclone.

Patnaik expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolence to the family members of the people who died in a landslide in Raigada block of Gajapati district.

‘’If the opposition criticizes, let them do so, we are busy in relief and restoration work. Dont you think that we have done our job right?” Patnaik he asked when mediapersons questioned him on the Opposition charges.

The Chief Minister said the state government would seek central assistance after the assessment of damage was completed.