By Purushottam Nayak
Raikia, November 6, 2026: A three-year-old girl, Jhansi Pradhan, now finds herself facing a world she is too young to understand.
While other children her age run into the loving arms of their parents, Jhansi looks around with tear-filled eyes, searching for the mother, father and baby brother she will never see again.
The devastating landslide triggered by Cyclone Arnab on October 28, 2026, took away the three most precious people in her little world, leaving her an orphan in a single moment.
Jhansi belongs to the Pradhan family from Sikobadi and Poda villages under Manikeswar Gram Panchayat in Raikia Block of Kandhamal district, Odisha.
Her parents, Achyut Pradhan and Manshi Pradhan, along with their eight-month-old baby boy, were among those who lost their lives in the tragic landslide at Dangesi.
Fate had taken Jhansi to her paternal uncle Viswamitra Pradhan’s house when the disaster struck. That separation, which might ordinarily have been temporary, became the reason she survived while the rest of her immediate family perished.
Today, the little girl is staying at the Manikeswar relief camp, surrounded by people who are trying to comfort her.
Yet no words can explain to a three-year-old why her mother is no longer there to hold her, why her father will not return, or why her little brother is missing.
Uncle’s promise becomes her hope
Amid the unbearable grief, one promise has emerged as a ray of hope.
Jhansi’s paternal uncle with courage and compassion, has stepped forward to take responsibility for her future.
“Jhansi is my elder brother’s daughter. I will take care of her just like my own daughter,” he said.
His words are more than a family commitment; they are a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments of human suffering, love can become a source of strength and a new beginning.
The disaster has also left a deep mark on communities across the affected regions.
“Arnab Cyclone is a curse not only for Manikeswar and Kotingia Panchayats but also for the entire states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh,” said Manoj Kumar Nayak, a reputed journalist, reflecting on the widespread human suffering caused by the disaster.
Little girl, a universal human story
Jhansi’s tragedy is not merely the story of one family or one village in a remote corner of Odisha. It is a reminder to the entire human family that disasters do not distinguish between regions, religions, languages, states or nationalities.
Behind every disaster statistic is a human face, a broken family and a child whose future has suddenly become uncertain.
For Jhansi, the immediate need is not only shelter and food but also emotional care, security, education and the loving support necessary to rebuild her childhood. She needs a safe environment where she can grow up with dignity, affection and hope.
Her uncle has made a promise. Now, the wider community has a responsibility to ensure that the promise becomes a reality.
As the people of Manikeswar mourn those lost in the landslide, the eyes of little Jhansi tell a story that words can scarcely express.
She has lost her family, but she must not lose her future.
May the world stand together to ensure that this little girl never feels abandoned by humanity.