Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Monday, 18 August 2025

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced the recruitment of 1,840 doctors and over 5,000 paramedical staff, focusing on tribal and remote areas, during a review of the Health Department. The review meeting also discussed the increase of PG seats, infrastructure development in medical colleges, recruitment of technical staff, and the setting up of Integrated Trauma Care Centres in accident-prone zones. More

Odisha's intelligence agencies uncover a mining company-Maoist nexus, with APEX Boost allegedly supplying explosives to insurgents, prompting a statewide probe. The disclosure surfaced after police in Ganjam district’s Chamakhandi locality seized 10 tons of illegal explosives from a cattle shed in Jagannathpur village yesterday. More

The UAE Odia Society urges CM Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene as the Bhubaneswar-Dubai IndiGo flight faces discontinuation, impacting over 30,000 Odias in the UAE and regional ties. The letter emphasised that cancelling this route would significantly impact the Odia diaspora, isolating them from their home state and affecting business and cultural ties. More

Bhubaneswar residents recount the horrors of the 1947 Partition amid NCERT's controversial 'Three Culprits of Partition' module, sparking debates and painful memories. More

Odisha to launch the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) programme in September after 24 years, aiming for a transparent electoral process with expanded polling booths and a clean voter list. The move is seen as a significant step toward ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in Odisha, setting the stage for upcoming electoral activities in the State. More

The bail hearing for all accused in the OTET paper leak case was postponed to August 22 as the Crime Branch sought more time to submit case documents. Businessman Ramji Prasad Gupta and teachers' association president Sanatan Bisoi will be interrogated on a one-day remand. The OTET paper leak has raised serious concerns about the integrity of recruitment exams in the State. More

A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression, bringing heavy rainfall to Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts by 19th August 2025. More

Crime Branch to interrogate Professor Sameer Sahu, the main accused in the FM College student self-immolation case, after court grants a 3-day remand. The case involves allegations of sexual harassment and abetment. More

Odisha government will start distributing houses under PMAY-G from November, targeting vulnerable groups. Additional pucca houses will be given in September under Antyodaya Yojana. This move is part of the Odisha government’s broader commitment to providing dignified housing to all eligible rural families and improving their living conditions through Central and State collaboration. More

Parents in Fakirpur locked the Dehuri Sahi Anganwadi Centre, protesting mismanagement and failure to hoist the National Flag on Independence Day, amidst allegations of unhygienic conditions and irregularities. More

Odisha Minister Rabi Narayan Naik warns officials of strict action for missing project deadlines, emphasising close monitoring and timely completion of infrastructure projects under Vision 2036. Officials concerned have also been strictly instructed to review nearly 20 incomplete bridges from the previous (BJD-led) government that have not been put to public use yet. More

A youth from Ranapada and a girl from Bedapada eloped, leading to a clash between police and villagers in Biripali village, Odisha, after the girl's family attempted to attack the youth. More

A coal-laden goods train's engine separated from seven wagons at Markona railway station in Balasore, Odisha, causing temporary confusion. The engine later returned to reattach the wagons, with no casualties reported. More

Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal's Delhi visit fuels speculation over pending board and corporation appointments, with discussions expected to finalise key positions. More

In Berhampur, Odisha, locals caught and thrashed two youths attempting theft in Kalu Patra Sahi. The duo, involved in a previous theft attempt, was handed over to Bada Bazar police. More

Incessant rains in Koraput triggered landslides, blocking Kakiriguma and Boriput roads, disrupting traffic and daily life. Local administration is working to clear debris. More

CCTV footage shows Boudh IIC Ranjit Muni and constables allegedly assaulting night watchman Jogeswar Mallik, sparking outrage. Mallik claims the officers were drunk. More

Gajapati district's Mohana block administration is on high alert due to a heavy rainfall forecast, with ASHA workers raising awareness and 14 landslide-prone panchayats under close watch. Shelter homes are prepared for potential evacuations. More

A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped in Sambalpur's Jujumura area, with three detained and two absconding. The incident highlights growing safety concerns for minors in Odisha. More

A minor girl was sexually assaulted by an auto-rickshaw driver in Cuttack, who threatened to immolate her when she resisted. The incident occurred on NH-16 near Shikharpur, with a complaint filed at Chauliaganj police station. More

Heavy rains caused the Malkangiri airport wall to collapse again, raising concerns over construction quality and design flaws, with locals demanding accountability. More

Bolangir Sadar police seized 20kg ganja and 80 cough syrup bottles but 12 traffickers escaped with over 200kg contraband. SDPO Saroj Upadhyay vows to nab absconders. More

73 buffaloes died in Kendrapara's Ekamania village while crossing Galia river, sparking concerns over poisoned water from shrimp farming insecticides. Owners Ganesh Das, Jagannath Das, and Pagala Bishwal lost their livelihoods. More

A massive fire at MKCG MCH's biochemistry lab in Berhampur, caused by an AC short circuit, resulted in significant damage but no casualties. The incident disrupted patient testing and raised safety concerns. More

The body of Rakesh S, a software engineer from Odisha, was mistakenly sent to Siliguri instead of Balasore. After a mid-route exchange, his remains were handed over to his family in Soro. More

Odisha Vigilance conducted raids at properties linked to Surendra Behera, SE of Angul Irrigation Division, over disproportionate assets allegations across multiple locations. More

The mortal remains of CISF jawan Manoj Biswal, killed in a Jammu and Kashmir landslide, reached his native village in Odisha's Dhenkanal, with thousands gathering to pay respects. More

IMD issues red and orange warnings for heavy rainfall in Odisha districts as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a depression, threatening severe weather conditions. More

Odisha faces a surge in temple thefts and crimes against women, with 18,000 cases registered in eight months. CM Mohan Charan Majhi cites declines in some crimes, while the Opposition claims increased transparency under BJP rule. More

Heavy rainfall in Malkangiri, Odisha, has submerged NH-326 and bridges, disrupting connectivity and forcing school closures. Floodwaters entered homes, with more rain expected. More

A video of a minor girl's statement at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, related to the Puri Balanga burn case, leaked online, prompting a police probe. SP Pinak Mishra clarified the video's context and legal actions underway. The senior police official assured that all evidence, including the source of the leak, will be presented to the judiciary, and strict action will be taken against any individual found responsible for the breach. More

Kandhamal police seized 10 tons of explosives from a model cattle shed in Jagannathpur, arresting three individuals including mastermind Hemant Sethi, accused of supplying explosives to quarries and possibly Maoists. More

Locals in Daringbadi, Kandhamal, performed last rites for Ruksuna Karadi, a Bihari nomad woman who died of jaundice, showcasing remarkable humanity and community solidarity. More

18-year-old Sonali was found hanging in her Baripada rented house under mysterious circumstances, with police probing whether it was suicide or murder. The girl’s sister has expressed suspicion that Sonali might have been murdered, hinting at a possible involvement of someone close to her. She also referred to a mysterious moment before her death when Sonali reportedly sang a romantic song. More

Four hardcore Maoists, including two men and two women, surrendered before Chhattisgarh Police, marking a significant blow to Maoist influence in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border region. More