Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas and Chhattisgarh, the water level of Hirakud Dam is rising rapidly. Authorities have decided to release the season's first floodwater on July 9 at 11 AM by opening 4 sluice gates. A high alert has been issued for 13 districts in the Mahanadi basin. Residents are advised to stay away from the river as water levels and currents are expected to increase significantly. The administration is monitoring the situation closely via loudspeakers in riverside villages. https://odishasambad.in/hirakud-dam-to-release-first-floodwater-tomorrow-four-gates-to-open-at-11-am/

A unique wedding ceremony was organized at the Maa Shyamakali Temple in Bargarh, where two specially-abled couples tied the knot. Facilitated by the 'Power of Divyang' organization, the couples—Swapna Sahoo with Rajkumar Sahoo and Sabita Singh with Pradip Kumar Panda—started their new lives together. The event was attended by Bargarh MLA Ashwini Kumar Sarangi and Atabira MLA Nihar Ranjan Mahananda, who congratulated the newlyweds. The president of the organization, Shyamsundar Agrawal, played a key role and encouraged other specially-abled individuals seeking marriage to contact the organization for support. https://www.dharitri.com/two-specially-abled-couples-tie-the-knot-in-a-mass-marriage-at-bargarh/

A woman Sarpanch named Suryakanti Pandey from Nimna Panchayat in Subarnapur district was caught red-handed by the Vigilance department while accepting a bribe. She had allegedly demanded 40,000 rupees from a Self-Help Group (SHG) to facilitate a fishery subsidy. She was apprehended while taking the first installment of 20,000 rupees after the SHG members reported the matter to the authorities. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/women-sarpanch-arrested-by-vigilance-while-accepting-bribe-in-odisha-12136825

In preparation for the 2026 Rath Yatra, Odisha Police conducted a mega mock drill named 'Operation Chakravyuh' in Puri. The drill, aimed at countering potential terrorist attacks and handling hostage situations, involved STU and SOG commandos. For the first time, advanced robots were deployed during the exercise. The mock drill showcased real-time response strategies, including fire safety measures and hostage rescue from high-rise buildings near the Jagannath Temple, ensuring an impenetrable security cover for the millions of devotees expected to visit. https://argusnews.in/odisha/operation-chakravyuh-jagannath-temple-rath-yatra-2026-security-drill

Continuous rainfall has caused the water level in the Lower Suktel Dam in Balangir to rise rapidly, reaching 194.3 meters. This poses a severe flood risk to Kumiapali village, where 86 families refuse to evacuate until their demands for proper compensation and rehabilitation are met. While the administration is developing a new colony in Kapilbahal, residents claim it lacks essential facilities like electricity, water, and roads. Meanwhile, CM Mohan Majhi is scheduled to inaugurate the project on September 26 to provide irrigation to 1 lakh acres of land. https://www.dharitri.com/lower-suktel-reservoir-water-level-rising-people-stranded/

The investigation into the multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha has completed 13 years, yet depositors remain in uncertainty. Over 6.19 crore rupees have been spent on the probe by the commission. Justice Madan Mohan Das Commission's tenure ended in 2020 and hasn't been extended since. While the government has allowed small investors identified by the commission to get refunds using identity cards, approximately 7 lakh new affidavits remain unverified. The fate of large-scale investors who deposited more than 10,000 rupees remains unclear as the commission's office stays locked. https://sambad.in/state/the-mystery-of-the-fraud-remains-12147027

Vikrant Bhuria, National President of All India Tribal Congress, visited Odisha and demanded immediate implementation of the PESA Act in the state. During meetings at Congress Bhawan, he discussed tribal interests and criticized the government over education issues and NEET paper leaks as part of Rahul Gandhi's 'Chatron Ki Gunj' initiative. PCC President Bhakta Charan Das and other senior leaders also participated in the discussions. https://sambad.in/state/implement-pesa-law-in-tribal-dominated-odisha-bhuriya-12147040

Karnataka Police arrived in Balangir, Odisha, to investigate an interstate cyber fraud network. The investigation reveals that a former finance company manager lured local youths into opening multiple bank accounts under the pretext of MGNREGA payments. These accounts were later used for fraudulent transactions involving lakhs of rupees. The case came to light during a probe into a suicide related to cybercrime. While the police have questioned local individuals who were unknowingly trapped, the main accused is currently absconding. Local SP Abhilash G has urged citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious bank activities. https://sambad.in/state/a-different-kind-of-cyber-fraud-12147022

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has directed district collectors to identify land for 2,200 Godabarish Adarsha Vidyalayas by March 2027. These primary schools aim to meet the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 at the panchayat level. Collectors are required to monitor progress weekly and submit reports, while involving local MLAs in the land identification process. So far, work has commenced on 322 schools. https://sambad.in/state/chief-minister-reviews-godavari-model-schools-12147045