Nandankan zoo came out almost unscathed in the cyclone Phailin on Saturday, zoo authorities said on Sunday. It will reopen on Monday.

"There was no death or injury to any caged animal or bird. There was no escape either. Though we generally remain closed on Monday, we will reopen it in view of Dussehra," zoo deputy director Kamal Purohit told TOI. The zoo attracts large number of visitors on Durga puja.

ICHAPURAM/BHUBANESWAR: Rain and wind lashed India's east coast on Saturday, forcing about 450,000 people to flee to shelters as one of the country's largest cyclones closed in, threatening to cut a

The central government has sanctioned Rs 1,493 crore for construction of 2,982-km road in the state under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh communicated the Centre's decision to chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday. Ramesh said last year the Centre had sanctioned Rs 2,445.75 crore to Odisha for construction of 5,189-km road.

The state government on Tuesday issued a cyclone warning and alerted collectors of 14 coastal districts to remain prepared for any eventuality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) here said a deep depression had been formed near the Andaman Sea, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Wednesday and move towards the mainland.

It was just not the Super Cyclone that wrought havoc in 14 coastal districts of Odisha in 1999.

Beware! Goddess durga is watching you cutting the trees and exploiting the women.

Various puja committees in the industrial town have erected eco-friendly mandaps, with an aim to send the message of saving greenery.

Preparations for the nine-day festival, which began from Oct 5, are in full swing. Artists from Kolkata, Bihar have come to the city to give finishing touches to the idols.

With cyclonic storm Phailin staring at the mainland from the sea, about 950 km from the Odisha port of Paradip, the state government on Wednesday cancelled the Dussehra holidays of its employees in 14 coastal districts and put them on disaster-management duty.

An official bulletin said the cyclonic storm is likely to be preceded by heavy rain in the next 12 hours. Distant cautionary signal No. 1 was hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports, asking fishermen not to venture into the sea.

Despite several assurances, the state government has been reluctant to frame the state river policy ostensibly to protect the interests of industries and corporate houses, alleged Rajendra Singh, a

Illegal sand mining continues unabated on the beaches of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur.

This is particularly true to Paradip, Gadabisunipur, Padmapur, Ramatala, Siali, Kalapeti, Abhayachandapur in Kujang and Ersama blocks of Jagatsinghpur and Pentha beach in Kendrapada district.