Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Saturday, 23 August 2025

Residents of Bhalumunda village in Dhenkanal district panic over an unidentified big cat-like animal spotted for days, prompting Forest Department contact despite official denials. More

RTI data reveals OUAT has 315 professor posts with 276 vacant and 520 non-teaching posts with 365 vacant, yet 76 retired staff were reappointed in the past year instead of hiring fresh candidates, sparking criticism from activists and students. More

27-year-old YouTuber Sagar Tudu from Berhampur went missing at Duduma Waterfall after a sudden water surge from Machkund Dam, with rescue efforts ongoing and safety issues highlighted. More

Odisha’s Rasmita Sahoo was a standout athlete with two gold medals. More

Odisha had to be satisfied with runners-up finish as they lost against Hockey Haryana  2-3. More

Commissionerate Police arrested Rohan Ranjan Raut and Soham Raj Tripathy from Delhi for a fatal hit-and-run at Patrapada, Bhubaneswar on Rakhi Purnima that killed Rebati Raul and her daughter. More

Science Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced major science projects in all Odisha districts, including ongoing planetariums, ISRO visits for students, and Bhubaneswar planetarium renovation. More

Odisha extends farmer registration for paddy procurement to August 25, with 17 lakh registered; Minister Krushna Chandra Patra expects over 20 lakh, citing simplified self-declaration process. More

CM Mohan Majhi visited Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas to inquire about his health post-hospitalisation, discussing for 10-15 minutes amid wishes from PM Modi and other leaders. More

28-year-old Pratap Majhi died from a snakebite in Gajapati's Puruna village after his family chose traditional healing over hospital care, leading to delayed treatment and his death during transit. More

A tusker caused panic in G Udayagiri, Kandhamal, while a herd of 22 elephants returned to Athagarh, Cuttack, sparking fears among residents and farmers over attacks and crop damage. More

SJTA establishes a dedicated breastfeeding room in Puri's Jagannath Temple, managed by a woman staff, following devotee demands to support lactating mothers. More

Odisha's Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallick announced a state-wide programme to sterilise, vaccinate, and count over 7 lakh stray dogs, following Supreme Court guidelines, with measures including regulated feeding and public cooperation. More

Heavy rainfall submerged Nuasahi road in Balasore, disrupting travel and trade due to poor drainage, with residents and shopkeepers voicing frustration over recurring issues. More

Odisha Vigilance arrested Kishore Kumar Sahani, Senior Assistant at City Hospital Cuttack, for possessing disproportionate assets worth crores, including properties and cash. More

Heavy rainfall in Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts has submerged roads, swollen rivers like Samakoi, disrupted traffic, damaged houses, and prompted evacuations by local authorities. More

Farmers in Malkangiri blocked NH-326 near Mathili, protesting fertiliser shortages and alleged black marketing by LAMPS officials, with demands for immediate supply. More

DRI seized Rs 4 crore marijuana at Bhubaneswar Airport from a couple arriving from Bangkok, detaining them for interrogation on the smuggling network. More

Boudh district authorities issued show-cause notices to 56 schools for not serving midday meals on Independence Day, with inspections and complaints prompting action by District Education Officer Temlal Dubey. More

Hirakud dam in Sambalpur opened four sluice gates to manage rising water levels from heavy rainfall, with officials issuing advisories for public safety and IMD predicting continued rain. More

Police arrested outsider Jeet Panigrahi for intimidating students at BJB College in Bhubaneswar, sparking protests over security lapses and administrative negligence amid ragging allegations. More

A youth named Ramu Mohant was trampled to death by a tusker in Bhuinpur village, Keonjhar, while watching an elephant herd, highlighting rising human-elephant conflicts in Odisha. More

Diploma students from Club Chocolate crafted a 70 kg chocolate replica of PM Modi, incorporating symbols of his key initiatives, to mark his birthday. More

Elderly man Shobhakar Bhati dies after nephew Hruda Bhati and associates attack him over a land dispute in Parlimala village, Bolangir district; police detain one accused. More

Border villages in Rayagada district, Odisha, lack proper roads and clean drinking water despite government development push, causing hardships especially during monsoons. More

A minor college girl was brutally assaulted at Binika bus stand in Sonepur on August 19, with CCTV capturing the attack and no bystander intervention; police and CWC are investigating. More

In Balasore's Deulabar village, Madan Besra's body lay unclaimed for 26 hours due to superstition and witchcraft accusations, with villagers refusing cremation help until NGO volunteers intervened. More

Nine Class 9 girls in Paradip were harassed and threatened with acid attacks by three youths, leading to a police case and public outrage for justice. More

Odisha Police, led by DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, bans illegal chanda collections during festivals to prevent harassment and ensure public safety with strict enforcement measures. More

Kaliapani police in Jajpur rescued a minor girl from Madhya Pradesh after she was sold and forcibly married, with the accused detained and investigations ongoing under SP Yashpratap Shrimal. More

CHSE revises Plus Two syllabus for 2025-26, adding Environmental and Value Education units in English and MIL subjects to promote sustainability and ethics, aligning with NEP. More

IMD reports a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to Odisha districts, with Red Warning for Sundargarh and precautions advised. More

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik clashed over BJP's rise and regional party prospects at a book launch in Bhubaneswar, with Patnaik calling it a defeat of arrogance. More

Odisha government launches Dial 112 for ambulance access, led by Fire Services with new recruits and vehicles to enhance emergency medical aid, especially in rural areas. To support this ambitious initiative, the government has provided ambulance vehicles to the Directorate General of Fire Services. This initiative is aimed at providing immediate medical assistance, especially in road mishaps and rural emergencies. More

Prem Patnaik, brother of BJD president Naveen Patnaik, visited Bhubaneswar to discuss his recovery from dehydration with doctors at Navin Nivas, alongside aide VK Pandian. More

Odisha government initiates a crackdown on underperforming and corrupt officials, with suspensions in Boudh district and disciplinary probes across departments led by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. Transport Department has reported six officials, who are under disciplinary probe. The revelations include sexual harassment allegations against an ASO and two others, while two more are involved in criminal cases. More

Parents in Udala, Mayurbhanj locked Dugudha Nodal Upper Primary School protesting teacher transfers, forcing 264 students to study under a roadside tree; BEO assured new appointments. More