News from Odisha

Forest fires are also raging in various parts of Similipal sanctuary in Mayurbhanj. As many as 13 forests and some parts under the Talabandh and Dukura ranges have reported fires.

The party announced names of candidates for 3 Lok Sabha seats and 16 Assembly seats in Odisha.

A Jaundice outbreak was reported from a hostel with as many as 28 students of the Government College of Engineering in Keonjhar getting affected by the disease. It has triggered concerns among the college authorities as well as students.  

A five-time Parliamentarian, Prasanna Patasani was aspiring to contest from the Chilika Assembly constituency.

Temperature crossed 45 degrees Celsius in Odisha on Saturday as the heat wave intensified across the state. 

CRPF and COBRA jawans have been carrying out anti-Maoist operations in the fringe areas of Sundargarh and Jharkhand to ward off possible violence and threats from ultras. 

Kendrapara Tehsildar, Tapas Dehury will be the Excise Superintendent in-charge till the appointment of a new Excise Superintendent. 

Senior servitor Damodar Mahasuar at the first meeting of the Ratha Yatra Coordination Committee also threatened to launch a hunger strike if steps were not taken to open the four doors of the Srimandir.

Odisha anticipates a slight relief from severe heat with a predicted temperature drop of 2-3 degrees after 24 hours, as per IMD. Meanwhile, thunderstorm warning with gusty winds are issued across various districts.

"It was the BJD which tried to create confusion in the minds of the people. The people already know the outcome of the direct fight," the senior BJP leader said adding that not much interpretation is now needed after Amit Shah Ji’s statement.

Odisha's Commissionerate Police is testing air-conditioned (AC) helmets to protect traffic constables from severe heat. Trials are underway in Bhubaneswar, with plans for wider deployment based on feedback and vendor capacity.

In March, Odisha recorded the highest inflation rate among Indian states at 7.05%, despite a national drop to 4.85%. Rural areas saw higher rates than urban. Experts attribute this to Odisha's reliance on imports for basic goods and inadequate production and storage facilities.

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has revealed the candidates through a video message.

The Jharsuguda boat tragedy, where a vessel capsized in the Mahanadi River killing seven, raises questions about responsibility. Overloaded with passengers and lacking safety measures, the incident highlights failures in local governance and safety enforcement.

Fortunately, both the children, who were near the deceased when the mishap occurred, are reportedly safe.