Odisha News Today

Bhubaneswar, Jul 30: Odisha is grappling with moderate floods as rising water levels in the Mahanadi, Baitarani, and Brahmani rivers have inundated several districts, disrupting daily life and isolating villages. Following warnings of moderate flooding in the Mahanadi, floodwaters began entering low-lying areas of Banki in Cuttack district on Wednesday evening. The Huluhula branch river is flowing more than four feet above normal, cutting off road connectivity and halting transport. Six panchayats have been completely cut off from the outside world, with villages such as Kaimundi, Talabasta, Bilipada, and Sukua Khela submerged. Roads between Talabasta and Bilipada are under water, leaving residents stranded. Authorities have advised people in affected areas to remain vigilant. Also read: Rainfall Eases in Odisha, But Fresh Downpour Expected from August 2 Meanwhile, the Baitarani river has also crossed danger levels due to continuous rainfall. At Akhuapada, the river’s danger mark is 18.33 meters, but by 5 am Thursday, the water level had risen to 18.60 meters. Floodwaters have entered villages in Bhadrak district’s Bhandaripokhari and Dhamnagar blocks, leaving many families marooned. Roads and communication links have been severely disrupted as water flows across multiple routes. The Brahmani river too has witnessed its first flood of the season. At Jenapur, the danger level is 67.00 feet, but by midnight the water had surged to 67.80 feet. Rising waters have breached embankments near Bari, creating two major breaches at Bandhdhia. Floodwaters have entered villages in Bandhdhia panchayat and surrounding areas, worsening the situation. The combined impact of floods in these three major rivers has triggered widespread concern across Odisha. District administrations are on high alert, monitoring embankments and deploying rescue teams to vulnerable areas. With continuous rainfall feeding the rivers, officials fear further deterioration of the flood situation. Relief measures are being prepared to assist stranded families, while authorities continue to assess damage to roads, crops, and property.

Mumbai, Jul 30: The makers of Ranbir Kapoor starrer Ramayana: Part 1 have unveiled the film’s highly anticipated official trailer. The trailer was released in the early hours of July 30, 2026, across five Indian languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. The trailer opens with Yash as Ravana taking over the kingdom of Lanka as its king. It then traces the mythology of the Ramayana, beginning with Lord Ram's days in Ayodhya. From Ram honouring Kaikeyi's demand and leaving for exile to the Surpanakha episode and the 'Sita Haran', the trailer offers a detailed glimpse into the epic's key events. Also read: How Yash Is Reinventing Himself Beyond Rocky Bhai with Toxic and Ramayana Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman look apt in their parts. Lara Dutta as Kaikaiye, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Arun Govil as King Dashrath seem to be doing justice to their characters. Adapted by award-winning screenwriter Shridhar Raghavan; Ramayana features the biggest East- West collaboration yet with music by Oscar-winning legends Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. The Ramayana Trailer.This is where the EPIC BEGINS. 🏹Namit Malhotra’s RamayanaDirected by Nitesh TiwariStarringRanbir Kapoor as RamaYash as RavanaSai Pallavi as SitaSunny Deol as HanumanMusic by Hans Zimmer & A.R. RahmanGlobally Distributed by Sony Pictures…— The World Of Ramayana (@WorldOfRamayana) July 29, 2026 Talking about the movie, Namit Malhotra, the producer and creative architect of Ramayana, said, "The Ramayana is not just one of our greatest epics; it is part of how we live, celebrate and pass on our values from one generation to the next. Every year, Dussehra and Diwali remind us that its message continues to guide millions through the triumph of light over darkness and righteousness over evil. Very few stories continue to shape everyday life thousands of years after they were first told. The Ramayana does.” He added, “Having spent much of my life working across the global film industry, I have always believed that India's greatest stories deserve to be experienced on the world's biggest stage. Today, we finally have the artists, the technology, the craftsmanship and the collective ambition to present this extraordinary cultural legacy to audiences everywhere with the authenticity, scale and cinematic excellence it deserves.” He further added, “This is not simply the beginning of a film. It is the beginning of a journey to celebrate India's cultural richness with the world. India has always lived this story. It is now our privilege to share it with the world." Nitesh Tiwari, the director of Ramayana, said, "The Ramayana is one of the greatest stories ever told, not because of its scale, but because of the timeless values it represents. As a filmmaker, I never felt the responsibility to make it universal, it already is. My responsibility has been to approach it with complete honesty, authenticity and reverence.” He added, “Every creative decision we have made - from the writing and performances to the production design, music, visual effects and every frame on screen, has been guided by a single thought: to honour this extraordinary legacy with the dignity and respect it deserves while presenting it through the finest cinematic craftsmanship possible.” He further added, “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to work alongside some of the world's finest artists, technicians and storytellers in bringing this vision to life. I hope audiences everywhere experience not just the spectacle of Ramayana, but also the emotion, humanity, and timeless spirit that have allowed it to endure for thousands of years." For the uninitiated, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and eight-time Academy Award-winning VFX studio DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana: Part One will release worldwide on Diwali 2026. (IANS)