Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Friday, 05 September 2025

A critical shortage of firewood at Puri’s Jagannath Temple threatens the daily preparation of Mahaprasad, especially with the Holy Kartik month approaching. The Suara Mahasuara Nijog has alerted authorities, blaming diversion of firewood to Swargadwar cremations. With rising concerns among temple cooks and devotees, this shortage could disrupt sacred rituals and affect thousands relying on the daily offerings. More

Defying age and retirement, two 85-year-old teachers from Odisha—Dinabandhu Pradhan and Chintamani Rout—continue to teach students selflessly. Their passion for education and unwavering dedication make them icons in their communities. On Teacher’s Day, their stories remind us that the true spirit of teaching transcends salary, age, and systems—proving that inspiration has no retirement age. More

A rift within Cuttack’s BJD has surfaced after Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray skipped the party’s annual Prophet Muhammad birth anniversary event, traditionally led by him. The gathering, overseen by new district president Prafulla Singh and Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh, highlighted growing factional tensions and signalled a shift in the city’s political power dynamics within the party. More

The High-Performance Centre (HPC), popularly known as The Shuttle, has yet to fulfil its intended purpose. Questions are now being raised as to why the facility has not been made operational. More

The district administration immediately stopped vehicular movement on this route as a precautionary measure to avoid accidents. With the highway closed, vehicles are now being diverted through an alternative route, from Sambalpur via Maneswar to reach Sonepur. More

On January 24, Nirupama had reportedly informed over phone that she was heading to her native village Ranpur. However, she never reached home and went missing the same day. More

Singh was pulled out of the car in a critical condition and shifted immediately to the Dunguripali Community Health Centre. However, despite efforts, doctors declared him dead. Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the accident. More

CM Majhi further emphasized that providing quality education at the primary level remains another big challenge. More

Odisha government has mandated the use of BSNL services across all government offices and institutions to promote uniformity and support public sector telecom. Departments have been instructed to migrate existing connections to BSNL for internet, broadband, landline, and leased lines. The directive aims to streamline communication infrastructure and ensure secure, standardised connectivity statewide. More

On Teachers’ Day, President Murmu honoured two exceptional educators from Odisha at the National Teachers’ Award ceremony in New Delhi. Basanta Kumar Rana from Malkangiri and Tarun Kumar Dash from Koraput were recognised for their dedication and innovation in education. Their achievement marks a proud moment for Odisha’s academic community, celebrated alongside 43 others nationwide. More

Affectionately known as “Didi” by her students, Sefalika for the last ten years, has been redefining classroom learning with love, creativity, and innovation. More

According to the Minister, the repair drive will be carried out with the cooperation of all concerned departments. More

Authorities in Odisha have uncovered a major illegal liquor operation in Cuttack district, seizing nearly 2,000 litres of country liquor hidden underground in forest areas. Acting on a tip-off, the Athagarh Excise Department raided multiple sites, exposing a well-organised network. This incident follows a similar bust in Mayurbhanj, indicating widespread illicit brewing and smuggling across the State. More

A severe fertiliser shortage has triggered chaos among farmers in Odisha's Kalahandi district. Desperate for urea during peak sowing season, hundreds queue from early hours, enduring sleepless nights and hunger. The imbalance between demand and supply has sparked fears of crop failure, urging immediate administrative intervention to prevent deeper agricultural distress in the region. More

A shark weighing nearly two quintals was caught in the fishermen’s net in the sea adjoining Digha on Thursday. The rare catch drew significant attention as such fish are usually caught only twice or thrice a year. The shark was later taken to the Mohana International Fish Landing Centre in West Bengal for sale. More

The Odisha government has announced plans to significantly expand the fleet of electric buses (e-buses) across the state in a major push towards green and sustainable transport.  More

The Congress party’s organisational strengthening drive in Koraput turned chaotic on Thursday when a scuffle broke out outside the Town Hall during a key meeting attended by senior leaders and a central observer. More

A major flood threat has subsided in Odisha as the water levels of most rivers have dropped below the danger mark, according to the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department. The only exception is the Jalaka river, which continues to pose a risk to some areas in the Basta region of Balasore district. More

A gas cylinder explosion blew off the roof of a kitchen and left one youth critically injured in Bagda village under the Digapahandi block of Ganjam district. The mishap took place while the cylinder was being connected for cooking. More

Tension gripped Kendupadar village under Asika Kotinada police limits in Ganjam district after a group of armed miscreants unleashed violence late on Thursday night.  More

A bribery scandal has rocked the Kantabanji Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bolangir district after a video emerged allegedly showing an ASHA worker accepting money from a patient’s family. More

Odisha is likely to see some relief from continuous rainfall from Friday onwards, though several regions may still face thunderstorms and lightning, according to the Meteorological Department. More

The Odisha government has directed the Labour Department to intensify night surveillance at railway stations to curb the growing menace of illegal labour trafficking from western Odisha districts. More

With rising inflows from heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, authorities at Hirakud Dam opened four more gates on Friday, raising the total to 20. At present, 13 gates on the left and 7 on the right are discharging water. More

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s return from New Delhi on Friday morning was disrupted after his Air India flight was diverted to Kolkata due to adverse weather conditions in Bhubaneswar. More

Flood fear has gripped Balasore district once again as the Jalaka river swelled above the danger mark following continuous rainfall. At Mathani, the river is flowing at 6.71 metres, surpassing the danger level of 6.50 metres and triggering alarms across low-lying areas. More

A mishap at Paradip Port on Friday left one crew member missing after two sailors of MV Lucky Dragon fell into the sea while the vessel was docked at the Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) berth. Port officials confirmed that both sailors were Chinese nationals. While one was rescued, search operations are underway to trace the missing crew member. More

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, Majhi discussed Odisha’s ongoing development projects and shared the state government’s broader vision for building a prosperous Odisha. More

Fresh poultry deaths in Jagatsinghpur district have triggered concerns over a possible bird flu outbreak. On Friday, more than 300 chickens died suddenly at the farm of Nihar Ranjan Pati in Nimapada village under Saanpura panchayat. More

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Odisha government for not complying with its directive to file a report on alleged illegal stone mining at Nischinta Hill in Dhenkanal district.  More

RIR Power Electronics has informed the Odisha government that its silicon carbide (SiC) wafer fabrication facility in Bhubaneswar is progressing as planned, with commercial production expected to begin by March 2026.  The project entails an investment of Rs 618 crore and is considered a key step in building India’s compound semiconductor ecosystem. More

Odisha is set to witness a major boost in its semiconductor ecosystem as Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is expected to visit the state later this year for the foundation-laying ceremony of 3D Glass Solutions’ (3DGS) upcoming unit, a senior government official confirmed on Wednesday. More

Odisha Police busted a fake gold scam in Nilagiri locality of Balasore district, where a man was duped of Rs 16 lakh after being sold brass bricks as gold. The main accused has been detained for questioning, and a mobile showroom linked to the racket was seized. The accused lured victims with claims of selling gold bricks at cheap rates, only to deliver brass bars painted to resemble gold. More

Due to the recent spell of heavy rains, the water current in the area had intensified. It is suspected that the python was washed down from the upper reaches of the forest and became stuck in the trap meant for fish. More

The overcrowding caused the lift to malfunction while moving from the first floor to the second floor, leading to a sudden breakdown. More

As the windows of the classroom were open, a lightning bolt struck close to the side where some students were seated. Unfortunately, three girl students sitting near the open window became victims of the strike. More

Ahead of Durga Puja, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned obscene dance performances, DJ music, and laser shows at Puja venues. New rules also mandate plastic-free celebrations, proper parking, and stray dog removal. Violating committees risk losing permission for events like Meena Bazaars. Emergency services, road repairs, and public safety measures have also been prioritised. More