Fresh concerns over COVID-19 have emerged in Andhra Pradesh as infections continue to rise across several districts, with one COVID-19-related death reported in Kakinada.

According to health officials, seven new COVID-19 cases have been detected in the state. Among them, one case was reported from Visakhapatnam, while the remaining cases are being closely monitored by the health authorities.

Medical teams are keeping a close watch on the condition of all infected patients, and the Health Department has stepped up surveillance to prevent further spread of the virus.

As a precautionary measure, a dedicated COVID-19 ward has been set up at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Medical College and Hospital in Kadapa to handle any increase in patient admissions.

The state Health Department has also directed hospitals to ensure the availability of essential medicines, hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and other treatment facilities to respond effectively if cases continue to rise.

Health experts have urged the public not to panic, but to remain vigilant and follow basic preventive measures. People experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or difficulty in breathing have been advised to get tested promptly and seek medical attention if required.

Authorities have also encouraged residents to maintain proper hand hygiene, exercise caution in crowded places, and avoid close contact with others if they feel unwell.

The Health Department said it is continuously monitoring the situation and will take further measures if necessary to contain the spread of the infection.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather advisory for Puri, warning of moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning during the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities. The advisory urges devotees to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines while participating in the annual festival.

According to the IMD, if heavy rain, lightning, or strong winds occur, devotees should immediately move to a safe and permanent shelter and avoid remaining in open areas until weather conditions improve.

The weather office has advised people not to take shelter under trees, electric poles, or temporary structures during thunderstorms, as these can pose serious safety risks.

Devotees have also been asked to closely monitor official weather updates throughout the day, as monsoon weather conditions can change rapidly. Despite cloudy skies, humidity levels are expected to remain high, making it essential to stay hydrated and carry sufficient drinking water.

The advisory recommends wearing non-slip footwear while walking on the rain-soaked and slippery Grand Road (Bada Danda) to avoid accidents. Pilgrims are also encouraged to keep their mobile phones fully charged and follow official alerts during their visit.

Special care has been advised for elderly devotees, children, and people with existing health conditions, who should avoid prolonged exposure to heavy rain and overcrowded areas.

The IMD has further urged visitors to protect their mobile phones, valuables, and important documents by keeping them in waterproof bags or pouches.

For those planning to visit Puri Beach, authorities have advised that sea bathing should be done only at designated and permitted locations. Devotees have been warned to avoid entering the sea during high tide or when the sea remains rough due to adverse weather conditions.

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the Rath Yatra, authorities have appealed to everyone to follow weather advisories and safety instructions to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.

Under the influence of a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast, widespread rainfall lashed Odisha on Thursday, disrupting normal life in several districts while lakhs of devotees continued to participate in the annual Rath Yatra in Puri.

Puri has been witnessing continuous rainfall since Thursday. The holy town recorded 105.8 mm of rainfall in the last 36 hours. Despite the wet weather, lakhs of devotees gathered on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) and participated in the chariot-pulling ceremony, braving the rain with unwavering devotion.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, has issued a Yellow Warning for Puri for Friday, forecasting heavy rainfall. However, rainfall intensity is expected to reduce after the afternoon.

Several parts of Odisha received intense rainfall over the past 24 hours. During Wednesday night, Angul recorded the state’s highest rainfall of 206 mm, followed by Talcher (195 mm), Dhenkanal (116 mm), Nayagarh (110 mm), Jagatsinghpur (95 mm), Puri (89.5 mm), and Bargarh (75.8 mm). Many other places also recorded more than 50 mm of rainfall, affecting normal life.

Rainfall continued across the state on Thursday morning. Hirakud recorded 97 mm, Sambalpur 94.4 mm, Sonepur 27 mm, Titlagarh 26 mm, and Boudh 24 mm in western Odisha. In coastal districts, Jagatsinghpur recorded 30.2 mm, Khurda 27 mm, and Bhubaneswar 22 mm of rainfall.

The weather office said the active low-pressure system is likely to keep the monsoon vigorous over Odisha for the next two days, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in several districts, although the overall intensity is likely to be lower than Thursday.

An Orange Warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nuapada, and Balangir, where isolated places are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

A Yellow Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh, with the possibility of heavy rainfall at one or two places.

The IMD has advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, as heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging, localized flooding, and disruption of transport and daily activities in several parts of the state.

The pulling of the three majestic chariots resumed on Friday morning along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Puri after the procession was halted the previous evening due to inadequate lighting.

The chariot pulling began at around 9:30 AM, with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja leading the procession. Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana (Devadalana) followed in the middle, while Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha rolled behind, echoing through the Grand Road with its distinctive rumble.

On Thursday, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha had stopped near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple. Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja had halted near the Fire Station, while Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana remained stationed near Marichi Kote Chhak after the day’s procession was suspended.

Despite the halt, thousands of devotees stayed on the Grand Road throughout the night, offering prayers and receiving darshan of the deities seated on their chariots. All scheduled morning rituals and ceremonial practices were completed before the chariots resumed their journey towards Sharadhabali, near the Gundicha Temple.

The atmosphere on the Grand Road turned deeply devotional as chants of “Jai Jagannath” echoed through the air. The sounds of bells, conches, cymbals, devotional songs, and traditional ululation filled the sacred avenue as devotees enthusiastically pulled the chariots with the holy ropes.

For many pilgrims, participating in the second phase of the Gundicha Yatra was an emotional and spiritual experience. Some were seen shedding tears of devotion, while others offered full prostrations before the Lord, expressing their faith and gratitude.

Devotees continued to pull the chariots towards the Gundicha Temple, where the deities will remain on the chariots to bless devotees from Sharadhabali later in the day. The ceremonial Adapa Bije, during which the deities enter the Gundicha Temple, is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee confirmed the schedule and stated that the previous day’s chariot pulling had been stopped following the recommendation of the Bhoi Sardar because of poor visibility after nightfall.

Despite adverse weather conditions during this year’s Rath Yatra, an estimated 10 to 12 lakh devotees gathered in Puri, reflecting the immense religious significance and enduring appeal of the annual festival.

Despite the southwest monsoon covering the entire country, water storage levels in India’s major reservoirs remain significantly below capacity, raising concerns over water availability for agriculture, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation.

According to the latest data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the country’s 155 major reservoirs currently hold only 58.85 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water, which is 32.38% of their total live storage capacity of 181.74 BCM. This means nearly 68% of the storage capacity remains unfilled even as the monsoon season reaches its midpoint.

Experts attribute the low storage levels to below-normal rainfall across several parts of north, central, and western India. Reduced rainfall has led to lower river inflows, limiting the amount of water entering reservoirs. Although some regions have received good rainfall, it has not been sufficient to significantly improve the country’s overall water storage.

Reservoirs play a crucial role in ensuring drinking water supply, irrigation for agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation. Experts have warned that if rainfall does not improve in the coming weeks, the low storage levels could affect Kharif crop cultivation, urban and rural water supply, and electricity production.

The Central Water Commission said it is continuously monitoring reservoir levels across the country. Officials expressed hope that the situation could improve if rainfall intensifies over the next few weeks.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast increased rainfall in several parts of the country in the coming days, which is expected to boost inflows into reservoirs. However, water experts have stressed the need for careful water conservation and efficient management until storage levels improve.

The current situation highlights the importance of prudent water use, particularly during the monsoon season, as reservoir storage remains a key indicator of the country’s water security for the months ahead.

At least nine police personnel were killed and 31 others injured in two separate attacks allegedly carried out by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said.

The first and deadliest attack took place at the Marian Police Station in Bannu district, where militants rammed an explosive-laden truck into the police facility before detonating it. The powerful blast was followed by an armed assault, triggering a fierce gun battle between the attackers and security personnel.

According to local authorities, six police officers were killed, while 12 others sustained injuries in the attack. The police station suffered significant damage due to the explosion.

In a separate incident, militants targeted a police convoy in Lower Dir district near Ladam Top, Haider area. The attackers reportedly hurled hand grenades and opened indiscriminate fire on the convoy.

The ambush claimed the lives of three police personnel, while 19 others were injured. The wounded officers were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Following the attacks, security forces launched a massive search operation in both areas. Officials said the affected locations have been cordoned off, and efforts are underway to track down those responsible for the attacks.

The twin assaults highlight the continuing security challenges in Pakistan’s northwestern region, where the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has intensified attacks on security forces in recent months. Authorities have vowed to continue counterterrorism operations to eliminate militant threats and restore security in the province.

The incidents are among the latest in a series of attacks targeting law enforcement personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring the volatile security situation in the region.