Thunderstorm alert issued for 8 Odisha districts by IMD

June 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nowcast warning for eight districts in Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light to moderate rainfall over the next three hours. The alert, issued at 1:00 pm on Monday, said thunderstorm activity with lightning and gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph is very likely at one or two places in Nayagarh, Angul, Keonjhar,…

Groundwater depletion threatens Kuruvai cultivation in Cauvery delta

June 29: Groundwater depletion has emerged as a major concern for farmers in the Cauvery delta, casting uncertainty over the upcoming Kuruvai cultivation season. Declining water tables, combined with uneven rainfall and irrigation constraints, are raising worries about agricultural productivity in the region. Farmers in several parts of the delta are reporting increased dependence on borewells as surface water availability remains inconsistent. The situation has…

Minor Rape Convict Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison; Court Awards ₹8 Lakh Compensation to Survivor

Jharsuguda, June 29 (UDN):In a significant judgment in a case involving sexual assault on a minor, a special court in Jharsuguda has sentenced a man convicted of raping a minor girl to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years. The court, after examining the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial, found the accused guilty of committing the offence under relevant provisions of the law, including the…

Odisha Cabinet Clears Rs 42-Crore Interest Subvention Scheme to Strengthen Fertiliser Supply Network

Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UDN): In a major initiative aimed at ensuring timely availability of fertilisers to farmers, the Odisha government has approved a Rs 42-crore Interest Subvention Scheme to strengthen the state’s cooperative fertiliser distribution network. Representational image The scheme, approved by the state Cabinet, is designed to provide financial support to cooperative societies engaged in fertiliser distribution, enabling them to procure and supply adequate…

El Niño could pressure agri loans, credit growth seen steady: Report

June 29: Agricultural loan demand could face short-term pressure due to the impact of El Niño conditions, although overall credit growth is expected to remain healthy, according to a recent report. The report noted that climatic variability linked to El Niño may affect crop output in certain regions, potentially influencing farmers’ borrowing requirements and repayment cycles. However, strong rural demand, government support measures, and diversified…

Sudarsan Pattnaik marks Snana Purnima with devotional sand art at Puri Beach

June 29: Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a striking sand sculpture at Puri Beach to mark Snana Purnima, the sacred bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, drawing attention to the spiritual essence of the occasion.  Pic Credit: https://x.com/sudarsansand The artwork prominently depicts Lord Jagannath along with the devotional message “Jai Jagannath,” reflecting reverence for one of the most significant rituals in the…

Gujarat boosts water storage under Sujalam Sufalam

June 29: Gujarat’s flagship water conservation programme, the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan, has significantly boosted the state’s water storage capacity this year, adding 20,789 lakh cubic feet through large-scale desilting, deepening of lakes and ponds, and restoration of traditional water bodies. The initiative focuses on improving water availability and groundwater recharge ahead of the monsoon season, with works carried out across multiple districts. Officials said coordinated…

Organ India return as Team India Managers for third consecutive World Transplant Games

New Delhi,June 29 : ORGAN India, an initiative of the Parashar Foundation, have been appointed Team Managers and Country Representatives for India by the World Transplant Games Federation for the Indian contingent participating in the World Transplant Games 2027, scheduled to be held in Leuven, Belgium. This marks the third consecutive time that ORGAN India has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing and supporting…

Jagatsinghpur Administration Seizes Illegal Sand Worth Over Rs 1 Crore; Prohibitory Orders Imposed

Jagatsinghpur, June 29 (UDN): In one of the biggest crackdowns on illegal sand storage in recent times, the Jagatsinghpur district administration on Sunday seized illegally stockpiled sand worth more than Rs 1 crore from Shankharisahi under Biridi block. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, officials conducted a raid at the site and discovered that over 500 truckloads of sand had been unlawfully stored on government land.…

Haeran Ryu claims first major title with Women’s PGA Championship victory

June 29: South Korean golfer Haeran Ryu secured her maiden major championship title with a composed and consistent performance at the Women’s PGA Championship, marking a major breakthrough in her professional career. Ryu displayed strong control and precision throughout the tournament, maintaining steady form across all four rounds to outperform a competitive international field. Her ability to handle pressure in key moments proved decisive in…