Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the water level of the Hirakud Dam has crossed 620 feet. To manage the inflow, 7 more sluice gates were opened on Tuesday in two phases. Currently, a total of 14 gates are open to discharge floodwater. The reservoir is receiving approximately 2,24,614 cusecs of water per second, while 2,54,137 cusecs are being released through gates, canals, and power channels. https://www.dharitri.com/water-level-of-hirakud-reservoir-crosses-620-feet-7-sluice-gates-reopened/

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) has launched the Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam (ANTHE) 2026 for students from classes 5 to 12. The exam will be conducted in both online and offline modes between October and November 2026. Top performers can avail up to 100% scholarship and a share of the 2.5 crore rupees cash prize pool. Over 1 crore students have registered for this assessment platform since its inception, helping them gauge their potential for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. https://odishatazanews.com/?p=210181

Former Australian cricketer David Warner has been convicted by a Sydney local court for drink driving. He was caught on April 5 while traveling with his family, with blood alcohol levels twice the legal limit. The court fined him 1,500 AUD and ordered the installation of an alcohol interlock device in his vehicle. Despite his lawyer's plea regarding the impact on his commercial deals, the judge prioritized road safety due to the presence of children in the car. https://odishasambad.in/former-australia-batsman-david-warner-fined-for-drink-driving/

Over 15 families and their livestock in Bhadrak, Odisha, have been living under polythene sheets for more than 15 days due to continuous flooding. The floodwaters have forced these families out of their homes, leaving them in a dire state without proper shelter or essentials. The situation remains critical as repeated waves of flooding continue to affect the region. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/it-has-been-more-than-15-days-more-than-15-families-and-pets-have-been-trapped-12392496

A massive voter list revision is underway in Karnataka following a Special Institutional Review (SIR). Around 1.08 crore names are expected to be removed due to inconsistencies, deaths, permanent migration, and duplicate records. The draft list will be published on August 24, allowing citizens to file claims or objections until September 23. A similar situation is reported in Delhi, where 33% of voter forms are yet to be digitized. The final electoral roll for Karnataka is scheduled for release on October 27. https://argusnews.in/national/karnataka-sir-1-08-crore-names-may-be-removed-voter-list

In Baleswar district of Odisha, families have been living under plastic tarpaulins for the past 16 days due to severe flooding and continuous rainfall. As their houses remain submerged in water, they are forced to cook meals on makeshift brick stoves. The visual highlights the dire situation and suffering of the flood-affected poor people in the region. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/due-to-the-rain-and-floods-the-house-has-been-flooded-for-16-days-and-they-have-been-eating-food-in-bricks-12392501

A heart-wrenching scene has emerged from Bhadrak, Odisha, where a woman affected by floods is forced to live under a polythene sheet with her ailing daughter. Struggling without proper food or shelter, the family is facing severe hardships due to the flood's aftermath. The situation highlights the dire conditions of displaced residents who are battling hunger and sickness under makeshift shelters. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/picture-of-flood-disaster-a-woman-is-starving-with-her-sick-daughter-in-the-sand-12392509

The Supreme Court has cleared the release of Odisha's first animated feature film, 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath'. After facing legal hurdles and controversies regarding the depiction of the deity in animated form, the film is now set for a Pan-India release on August 28, 2026, through Cinepolis. The movie aims to instill cultural values in the younger generation through a fictional story. https://odishasambad.in/odishas-animated-film-mahaprabhu-jagannath-locked-for-august-28-release/

Police and DVF personnel seized 7 quintals of ganja packed in 28 bags during a raid in a forest near Atapada village in Gajapati district, Odisha. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is over 70 lakh rupees. An investigation is currently underway to identify the individuals involved in this illegal trade. https://otvkhabar.in/crime/police-seize-28-sacks-filled-with-ganja-from-forest-area-12392445

A crocodile sighting in the Gobari River near Kendrapara town has sparked panic among residents. The crocodile was spotted behind Bhaskar Cinema, likely washed upstream by floodwaters. Local authorities and the municipality have issued a high alert, warning residents of Kendrapara town, Kapaleswar, and Gulunagar panchayats to stay away from the river. The incident marks the first time a crocodile has been seen so close to the main town area, and social media photos of the reptile have gone viral. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/crocodile-spotted-in-kendrapara-town-administration-warns-people-against-going-near-river-12392567