Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Saturday, 16 August 2025

Odisha introduces a third gender category in job applications to promote inclusivity, aligning with central directives and addressing long-standing challenges faced by the transgender community. More

The Donald Trump administration's 50% tariff on Indian shrimp has severely impacted Odisha's coastal shrimp farming sector, causing price crashes and significant losses for farmers from Ganjam to Balasore. More

Patients in Odisha criticize Ayushman Bharat Yojana for missing facilities available under BSKY, facing biometric and OTP issues. A Bhubaneswar round-table discussed the scheme's flaws, with opposition parties condemning the government's handling. More

The proposed NACs are aimed at enhancing urban governance and development in these areas. More

Passengers on NH-16 from Pitapalli Square to Bhubaneswar face hardships due to dilapidated and misplaced bus shelters, with locals demanding new constructions at proper locations. More

Bolagarh Tehsildar Bijay Kumar Sethi's visit to an old age home on Independence Day revealed heartbreaking stories of elderly parents abandoned by their prosperous children, highlighting a societal issue of neglect. More

A rice-laden truck overturned near Malijhar Durga Temple on Patnagarhndash;Belpada road, injuring the driver who was rushed to Belpada Community Health Centre. No other casualties were reported. More

Malkangiri's new seven-storey district hospital, built for Rs 7 crore, faces a severe doctor shortage, with only 14 out of 56 specialist posts filled. This cripples emergency and specialist services, forcing patient referrals to distant cities. More

BJP's Bhadrak district secretary Malatilata Sahu and three others were attacked by a group near Ghanteswar market, sustaining injuries. A complaint has been filed at Chandbali police station. More

BSE President Srikant Tarai remained ambiguous about the Special OTET 2025 date during a press meet, only assuring it would be held soon if not on August 31, amid ongoing committee reviews for proper conduct. More

Star Air launches direct flights between Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda from August 16, enhancing Odisha's intra-state connectivity with a faster alternative to road and rail. More

Bijaylaxmi Mathia accuses her father-in-law, stepmother-in-law, and brother-in-law of murdering her husband, Jyoti Ranjan Mathia, over a property dispute. Balipatna police have arrested the accused following preliminary investigations. More

Odisha's 'Labu Bou', a Sambalpuri saree-clad version of the global Labubu doll, celebrates the state's rich textile tradition, gaining popularity across India and spotlighting Odisha's cultural pride. More

A massive fire at the District Social Welfare Office in Chhatrapur, Ganjam, destroyed computers, printers, and crucial documents. The blaze, suspected from a short circuit, saw delayed response due to unanswered calls to the officer and no night watchman. More

The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, announced the 2025 SHSC Class 10 and SOSC supplementary exam results, with pass percentages of 56.23 and 55.26 respectively. Chairman Srikant Tarai detailed the outcomes. More

A man, Pancham Mahot from Ranchi, attempted to scale Puri's Jagannath Temple, raising security concerns after recent threat messages. Intercepted by JTP and servitors, his motives are under investigation. More

A self-styled godman in Dhenkanal's Gola village faces rape allegations, leading to his detention, ashram sealing, and forensic evidence collection by Kamakhyanagar police. More

Swagat Mohapatra, a visually impaired youth from Sambalpur, has donated blood nearly 20 times since 2015, inspiring many with his dedication to voluntary blood donation on Independence Day and Republic Day. More

Suspended Astarang IIC Rajesh Baliarsingh, accused of ganja mafia links, escapes from Bhubaneswar police custody during interrogation, sparking a statewide manhunt. More

A 23-year-old tourist, Tejas Ahuja from Uttarakhand, drowned at an eco-resort in Dhirapatana, Dhenkanal, sparking safety concerns. The incident occurred in the resort's swimming pool, raising questions over tourist safety measures. More

Jyoti Ranjan Mathia's death from burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar took a turn when a video surfaced alleging his family set him ablaze over a property dispute. Police have detained his father, stepmother, and stepbrother. More

Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is undergoing a Rs 1000 crore expansion, including decommissioning the old ATC tower and operationalizing a new 11-storey facility. Plans for a new Terminal 3 and enhanced infrastructure are underway to manage increasing passenger traffic. More

A woman in Boudh's Manmunda was allegedly abducted and raped by her neighbour, leading to police action amid allegations of prior inaction. More

Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati was allegedly attacked during a torchlight rally in Koraput, leading to tension. The accused, Krushna Chandra Kuldeep, is in custody as both parties file complaints. More

Seven PACS secretaries from Sonepur and Boudh districts skipped duty for a foreign trip, disrupting fertiliser sales and scheme distributions. Three from Sonepur were suspended, while four from Boudh faced no action, sparking farmer discontent. More

The sacred Nanda Utsav at Jagannath Temple, Puri, celebrates Lord Ram and Krishna's idols with rituals starting post-Mangala Alati, featuring unique ceremonies like Bijuli Kanyaku Mariba Niti and offerings of fresh cow's milk. More

Serious concerns arise in Malkangiri's Tulasi hills over illegal blasting by an Andhra Pradesh firm, near a BSF camp in a Maoist-prone zone, without mandatory approvals. More

Tension escalated in Khordha after 19-year-old Pintu Nayak's murder, leading to a road blockade by his family demanding justice. The police detained three suspects amid ongoing investigations. More

Police arrested Scorpio driver Ankit Sahu in the Patrapada hit-and-run case that killed Rebati Raul and her daughter, while the Thar driver remains at large. The incident occurred during reckless racing on Raksha Bandhan night. More

The Regional Meteorological Centre predicts continued rainfall in Odisha for three days due to a low-pressure area, with a yellow warning issued for 20 districts. Heavy rains may disrupt life, especially in vulnerable areas. More

Incessant rain from a low-pressure system has submerged the MV-96 bridge on NH-326 in Malkangiri and triggered landslides in Koraput, disrupting road connectivity and interstate movement. IMD predicts more rain. More

Continuous rainfall in Koraput district triggered landslides near Bijaghati and Kerenga hills, blocking the Damanjodi-Narayanpatna route, stranding vehicles and inconveniencing passengers. More

A self-styled Baba in Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal, has been detained over rape allegations by a woman working at his ashram's eatery, sparking local outrage. The victim woman, who worked as a cook/helper in the ashram’s eatery (Bhojanalaya), filed a formal complaint alleging that the Baba sexually assaulted her one night while she was sleeping inside the ashram premises. More

Odisha Police arrested Minajun Islam for posting obscene content of a woman on social media, following her complaint at Komana police station. More

Odisha DGP suspends Inspector Rajesh Baliarsingh for alleged misconduct and protecting ganja mafias during his tenure in Koraput. Baliarsingh was accused of showing undue leniency to ganja mafias, raising concerns about his integrity and professional conduct. For the past two days, a Koraput police team had been camping in Bhubaneswar to question him regarding these allegations. More

Mukesh Ambani's Antilia now houses an eight-foot Lord Ganesh idol by Odisha sculptor Ashok Sahu, discovered by Anant Ambani during a visit to Puri. The pink serpentine stone sculpture, taking three years to craft, highlights Odisha's unique artistry. More

A massive fire in Sundarpur village, Ganjam, caused by a petrol barrel explosion, destroyed Krushna Chandra Sahu's house. The family escaped with minor injuries as fire brigades controlled the blaze. The entire house caught fire within a few minutes and was completely gutted. Eyewitnesses described the flames as uncontrollable, with no one daring to approach due to the intense heat and smoke. More