Sunday, February 8, 2026 — It is a busy morning in Odisha as the state bids farewell to the President, prepares for a sudden cold snap, and shares positive news for those affected by past financial scams. 
Odisha Morning News: President Murmu's Exit, Cold Wave Alert, and Chit Fund Refund Extension


President Murmu Concludes Six-Day Visit

President Droupadi Murmu wraps up her six-day tour of Odisha today. She is scheduled to depart from Lok Bhavan at 9:00 AM. From there, she will head to the airport to travel to Chhattisgarh.
Authorities have placed the entire route from Lok Bhavan to the Biju Patnaik International Airport under tight security. This visit was emotionally significant for the President, as it included stops in her home district of Mayurbhanj and visits to the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Winter Returns: Temperatures to Drop Below 12°C

After a brief period of warmer nights, the weather department warns that the chill is coming back. Starting tonight and continuing into February 9, temperatures across many parts of Odisha will fall.
  • Coastal and Inland Regions: The mercury is expected to drop below 12°C.
  • Coldest Spots: Towns like Nabarangpur, Jharsuguda, Phulbani, and Rourkela are bracing for a low of 11°C.
  • Residents should prepare for a significant increase in cold conditions over the next 48 hours.

Big Relief: Chit Fund Refund Deadline Extended

The Odisha state government has shared excellent news for small investors who lost money in chit fund scams. The deadline to apply for refunds has been extended from January 31 to March 31, 2026.
The government is currently processing payments for nearly 10,000 small depositors. People who have the necessary proof of their losses can still apply through their local Revenue Inspector (RI). This two-month extension ensures that more families have the chance to recover their hard-earned savings.

Legal Updates: High Court Rules on Election Case

The Orissa High Court has made a key decision regarding the Rourkela Assembly election dispute. The court dismissed three separate petitions filed against MLA Sarada Nayak.
Nayak had requested the court to dismiss these cases without a full hearing, and the court agreed. However, the legal challenge filed by Dilip Ray will continue. This means the court will still examine the specific details of Ray’s petition in the coming weeks.

Drama in the Theatre: Actor Alleges Harassment

The Odisha Jatra (open-air theatre) world is facing a new controversy. The family of popular actor Sai Satyajit Panda has filed a police complaint against Nandu Babu, the owner of the Tulasi Gananatya troupe.
The family claims Nandu Babu has been mentally harassing the actor. In response, Nandu Babu has denied these claims. He stated that if Sai Satyajit refuses to perform on stage, he will take legal action against the actor. The local police are currently investigating these conflicting reports.