5 Of Family Among 6 Killed As Car Falls Into Gorge In Himachals Chamba
SHIMLA, Aug 8: Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when their car fell 500 metres down into a gorge in Himachals Chamba district, police said on Friday. The accident happened near Chanvas in Tissa subdivision of Chamba district when a government school teacher was returning home from Banikhet along with his family members. As per preliminary investigations, a falling rock hit the vehicle following which the vehicle fell into the gorge. They were about [] The post 5 Of Family Among 6 Killed As Car Falls Into Gorge In Himachals Chamba appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Five of family among six killed as car falls into gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba
SHIMLA: Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when their car fell 500 metres down into a gorge in Himachal's Chamba district, police said on Friday. The accident happened near Chanvas in Tissa subdivision of Chamba district when a government school teacher was returning home from Banikhet along with his family members. As per preliminary investigations, a falling rock hit the vehicle following which the vehicle fell into the gorge. They were about a kilometre away from their house when the car plunged into the gorge. The villagers rushed to the spot as soon as the heard the screams and immediately informed the police and started the rescue operations. Rajesh, a teacher in Banikhet, his wife Hanso (36) his son, Deepak (15), and daughter, Aarti (17), brother-in-law, Hemraj, and another person the family gave lift to in their car died in the accident. The accident took place around 9:30 on Thursday night and it took almost six hours to recover the bodies. A case has been registered and further investigations are underway, police said.
Monsoon havoc cuts off Chamba villages in Himachal, villagers use rope to reach homes
Many remote areas of Himachal Pradesh are reeling from the devastating impact of monsoon's unrelenting fury with villagers in Chambas remote Grounda panchayat, home to about 500 people, being forced to climb or descend a near-vertical slope with ...
Sighting of Chambal gharial in Yamuna springs concern
Himachal rains: 453 roads blocked across state, total loss touches Rs 1,700 crore
CHANDIGARH: Heavy downpour since Monday evening triggered widespread landslides and flooding across Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, blocking the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway and several other roads and disrupting day to day life. A total of 453 roads including four national highways closed across the state. Till now, 192 persons have lost their lives in landslides, cloudbursts, flashfloods and 301 are injured. The total loss caused by flashfloods and torrential rain in the state has touched Rs 1,753.63 crore. As per the state emergency operation centre, as on Tuesday morning, 449 roads and four national highways were blocked across the state. Of these, 318 roads and three national highways are in Mandi district, 67 roads and one national highways in Kullu district, 23 roads in Kangra district, 22 roads in Sirmour district, ten roads in Una district, four each in Bilaspur and Chamba districts and one in Shimla. Additionally, 753 electricity transformers have been damaged and 276 water supply schemes disrupted. The Public Works Department suffered a loss of Rs 880 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department at Rs 618 crore, horticulture sector Rs 27.43 crore and the agriculture sector Rs 11.45 crore. Sources said that the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked at many places due to landslides and continuous shooting stones. Also, the alternate road via KataulaKamand is blocked due to similar conditions. Not only these important roads, the Mandi-Dharampur highway via Kotli is blocked near Kainchi Mod and Mandi-Jogindernagar highway is also impassable. The Mandi-Rewalsar road near Lohardi has been blocked as several link roads in different parts of the district have reported landslides and water logging. Due to incessant rains, the Beas River and its tributaries are on the verge of flooding low-lying regions. Due to water logging in the Balh area of Mandi the movement of public and emergency services has further complicated. The district administration has launched extensive restoration efforts but due to persistent rainfall and unstable terrain these efforts have been hampered. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and regular updates are expected as conditions evolve. Meanwhile, road users are being urged to strictly follow the instructions issued by local authorities and on-ground personnel. Mandi Police have issued public advisories urging residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from riversides and landslide-prone zones. Emergency response teams are on alert and restoration machinery has been deployed to clear debris and reopen the affected routes. The Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall for the next few hours, prompting authorities to remain vigilant. An orange alert for heavy rain in Una, Bilaspur and Kangra districts and a yellow alert for heavy rain in Sirmaur, Mandi and Hamirpur districts on August 5 have been issued.
Major rivers flowing above danger mark in UP as incessant rains claim a dozen lives
LUCKNOW: At least five rivers in Uttar Pradesh are flowing above the danger mark and many others are in spate owing to the incessant heavy rains during the last 50 hours, which have claimed over a dozen lives so far. Continuous rainfall and overflowing rivers have triggered a major flood crisis affecting at least 20 districts, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Jhansi, Agra, Kanpur Dehat, and Kanpur Nagar. Rising water levels in the Ganga, Yamuna, and Chambal rivers have inundated hundreds of homes and cut off villages. Relief and rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and PAC have been pressed into service in the worst-hit areas. The monsoon remains active in both eastern and western parts of UP due to a strong monsoon trough. Heavy rainfall has been reported in Lucknow prompting the District Magistrate to declare all schools from Classes 1 to 12 closed on Monday. Similar orders were issued in Sultanpur, where government and private schools up to Class 8 were shut. Eastern Uttar Pradesh recorded 18.4 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, nearly 146% above the normal level of 7.5 mm. Western UP saw 8.2 mm of rainfall compared to an expected 7.2 mm, 14% above normal. The IMD has issued warnings of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall for over 60 districts. The Met department issued a red alert for very heavy rainfall in Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, and Badaun. Alerts for heavy rain have also been issued in 40+ additional districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ayodhya, Moradabad, and Etawah. Lightning warnings are in effect for nearly the entire state. The flood situation is grim across the state with the Team 11, constituted by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, comprising ministers, on ground zero to oversee the rescue and relief. With the CM personally monitoring the situation, the flood relief and rescue operations intensified across the state. Varanasi, Prayagraj and Kanpur are among the worst-affected divisions. In Varanasi, families have been waiting for hours for their turn to perform the last rites of their near and dear ones at the ghats as rising waters of the swollen Ganga spilled on to the streets on Monday leaving the Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghat cremation grounds completely inundated. While pyres were being laid at the upper platform at Manikarnika Ghat, cremations took place in the streets near Harishchandra ghat. With the majority of the 84 ghats along the Ganga submerged, flood waters had been flowing on roads especially in upstream areas. The fury of the Ganga is not only gripping Kashi but also affecting the lives of thousands in neighbouring Ballia district as well. The fields with ready paddy crops are completely marooned in Ghazipur and Chandauli districts. In Prayagraj, with water levels of Ganga and Yamuna having breached the danger mark by around 50 centimetres at Naini, Phaphamau and Chhatnag, more than 107 wards of the district stood flooded forcing more and more residents to take refuge at makeshift flood relief camps. Over 1747 families, comprising 7500 people, have already moved to 18 relief camps, which are getting crowded by the day. The administration has deployed over 168 boats and one motorboat to rescue and assist flood victims. While the Ganga breached the danger mark in Ballia and Ghazipur, the Yamuna is above the danger mark in several areas, including Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur, and Banda. The Betwa River is also overflowing in Hamirpur. According to Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami, 40 tehsils and 694 villages in 17 districts were in the grip of floods impacting over 1.16 lakh peopleall of whom have received assistance and moved to relief camps. Over 25,000 people and 4,682 cattle have been relocated. However, 11,386 hectares of land lie flooded. Relief is being delivered via 738 active boats, with 4,867 kept on standby. So far, 9,467 food packets and 1.18 lakh lunch packets have been distributed, while 39 langars (community kitchens) continue to serve fresh meals to those hit by rains and flood fury, added Goswami. With senior officials holding ground in sensitive and hypersensitive districts, 14 NDRF teams, 15 SDRF teams, and 48 PAC teams have been deployed across 57 districts to aid affected populations. Goswami said that a total of 924 flood shelters were housing 18,772 displaced individuals, all being attended to by 778 medical teams. Additionally, 1,193 flood posts were monitoring the situation, and 25,586 people were relocated to safer areas. The most-affected districts include Kanpur Nagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Agra, Auraiya, Chitrakoot, Ballia, Banda, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Hamirpur, Etawah, and Fatehpur. Relief operations are underway at a rapid pace, with NDRF, SDRF, and PAC teams conducting continuous patrolling in affected areas.
179 Killed In Monsoon Fury In Himachal, Mandi, Kullu, Chambal Remain Worst-Hit
Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under the devastating impact of the monsoon season, with severe disruptions across vital public utilities and a mounting death count
Monsoon fury in Himachal leaves 179 people dead; Mandi, Kullu, Chamba remain worst-hit districts
Himachal Pradesh remains severely affected by monsoon rains, with 179 deaths reported since June 20, including 101 from landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. Over 296 roads, 134 power transformers, and 266 water schemes are disrupted. Damage to public infrastructure exceeds 1,714 crore, with 88,800 hectares of crops hit. Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba are among the worst-affected districts.
Heavy rains have triggered flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, as many hill stations are facing the worst monsoon disaster this year.
The district administration has issued an alert in residential areas and urged devotees to avoid venturing into deep water at bathing ghats. Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed for surveillance.
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Mayor directs cleanup of Nucchambali Bhavi for Ganesh idol immersion
Army rescues 300 from flood-hit Shivpuri as 2,900 evacuated across Madhya Pradesh
BHOPAL: Around 300 people were rescued by the Indian Army, NDRF, SDERF, local police and administration from a flood-hit village in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior-Chambal region on Wednesday. Continued heavy rains have caused flooding in various rivers across northern Madhya Pradesh districts, particularly in Shivpuri, Guna and Ashoknagar. While thanking the Army for their role in the rescue operations in Shivpuri district, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that to expedite relief work, the state government has requested helicopters from the Ministry of Defence. A helicopter from Lucknow is currently deployed and actively engaged in relief and rescue operations in Ashoknagar district. After conducting a live review of the ongoing rescue operations in the flood-hit areas from the state command centre in Bhopal, the Chief Minister said 2,900 people have been safely rescued from Morena, Guna, Shivpuri, Rewa, Raisen, Damoh and Ashoknagar and moved to relief camps. Food, clothing, medicines and other essentials are being provided at these camps. Rescue teams have been deployed in full strength with all necessary resources. Considering the likelihood of continued rainfall over the next two to three days, all district administrations have been directed to remain on high alert and in a constant state of readiness. He appealed to citizens to remain cautious, avoid waterlogged areas and open drains, stay away from electric hazards and dilapidated buildings, and immediately report any emergency to their local tehsil or district flood control room. He reassured the public that the government is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every citizen. The IMD has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in many districts of the state over the next 24 hours. It has predicted 8 to 9 inches of rain in several districts, including Bhopal, Vidisha, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Sehore, Ashoknagar, Guna, Shivpuri and Rajgarh.
More than 23,000 women, girls missing in MP for over a month and up to 1.5 years
BHOPAL: Over 23,000 women and girls have been missing for at least a month and up to 1.5 years in Madhya Pradesh. The information was shared by the state government, while replying to the question on the issue by former home minister and senior Congress MLA Bala Bachchan during the ongoing monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha. As per the written reply to the ex-home ministers question, as on June 30, 2025, more than 21,000 women and 1900-plus girls were missing for more than a month in the state. Surprisingly, those numbers included women and girls, who went missing between January and December 2024 and January and June 2025. The detailed break up of the data shared by the government revealed that in as many as 30 districts the total number of missing women was more than 500. These districts included states political and administrative capital Bhopal, commercial capital Indore, cultural and judicial capital Jabalpur, Sagar, Gwalior, Chhatarpur, Dhar and Rewa districts. The other districts where more than 500 women and girls were missing since more than a month, include Shivpuri and Guna in the Gwalior-Chambal region, Khargone, Khandwa and Barwani in southwestern MP, the districts of Mandsaur, Ratlam, Neemuch, Dewas, Ujjain (CM Dr Mohan Yadavs home district), Jhabua and Dhar in western MP. Those districts also included Katni, Balaghat, Seoni and Mandla (all in tribal dominated Mahakoshal region), Raisen, Vidisha and Narmadapuram in central MP, besides Satna and Rewa districts of Vindhya region and Damoh, Sagar and Narsinghpur in Bundelkhand region. The information shared by the state government also revealed that around 1500 persons accused in various cases of crime against women, among them rape and other sexual offences, besides those accused in abduction of girls and disappearance of women are yet to be tracked by the state police. The accused on the run, included those booked for rape of women and minors. While 292 accused were absconding in cases pertaining to rape with women, as many as 283 were on the run in cases of sexual assault/rape with minors. As many as 443 others were on the run in cases of other sexual offences with women, while 167 persons, who were accused in similar cases of sexual offences with girls too, were untraceable. This meant that as many as 575 accused in cases of rape with women and girls were still on the run, while 600 accused are on the run in cases related to other sexual offences with women and minors. When it came to those accused, who are absconding in the cases pertaining to missing minors and those behind the disappearance of women, as many as 76 were on the run in cases of missing women, while 254 were absconding in cases of abduction of minor girls. As per the state governments reply in the Vidhan Sabha, more than 23,000 women and girls have been missing in Madhya Pradesh for more than a month as on June 30, 2025. The missing 23,000-plus women and girls, include over 21,000 women and more than 1500 girls. In at least 30 districts, the number of women and girls who remain untraced was more than 500. Around 1500 accused in various cases of crime against women remain untraced. Those on the run, included 575 in rape cases and 600 in cases of other sexual offences. As many as 76 accused in cases in missing women and 254 accused in cases of missing girls too are untraced.
Himachal rains: Two dead, one missing as sudden downpour triggers flood in Mandi
CHANDIGARH: At least three people have died and one person has gone missing in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain overnight. More than 20 vehicles have been submerged and around two dozen houses partially damaged; the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, Chandigarh-Dharamsala, Mandi-Pathankot and Shimla-Mataur highways have been blocked. Sources said that a flash flood struck Mandi district early Tuesday morning. Four members of a family had reportedly come out of their house in the wee hours to shift their vehicle to a safer place, but were swept away in the sudden flood; the bodies of two persons were recovered, one person is missing, while another person suffered a fracture and has been admitted to a local hospital. The incident occured on Jail Road Tungal colony in Mandi town as Sukati nullah overflowed due to sudden heavy rains and caused widespread destruction. The water entered several locations in about five-kilometer area besides the Jail Road, Saini Mohalla and Zonal hospital area. The flashflood washed away dozens of parked vehicles, while muck and debris entered homes and damaged property. Locals were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing; teams of SDRF, volunteers and district administration are engaged in clearing debris and are trying to locate the missing person. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorva Devgan said that rescue operations are in full swing and about 15 to 20 people have been rescued, while one missing person is yet to be located. The victims were attempting to move their vehicles to safer locations when they were washed away along with their vehicles. The body of one person was found stuck in an auto-rickshaw, he added. Devgan said that more than dozen people trapped inside their houses were rescued. The rescue teams had to break window panes and doors to rescue them as their houses were filled with mud and silt, he said. The flash floods triggered landslides, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali NH at multiple points, specifically at 4 Miles, 9 Miles near Pandoh and Dwada. Also, the Mandi-Pathankot highway is blocked due to a landslide at the Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Many other interior roads in the district have also been blocked due to landslides and water-logging. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains blocked the National Highway near Kangra, cutting off the only main road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj and surrounding areas. Landslides also blocked the Shimla-Mataur National Highway at Old Kangra Ghat and reports of uprooting of trees and electricity have also poured from several parts of the state. The Met office had issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday. It also issued a yellow warning of heavy rains at isolated places in Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, and Una, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Since the start of the monsoon season this year from June 20 till July 28, the hill state has suffered a loss of Rs 1523 crore. So far 90 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1320 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state. A total of 200 roads, including 121 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Monday night. 62 power distribution transformers and 110 water supply schemes have also been affected across the state, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths
Heavy monsoon rains caused havoc in Himachal Pradesh. Many roads are blocked. Power and water supplies are disrupted. Sadly, many people died due to rain-related incidents and road accidents. Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts are the worst hit. Houses are damaged and crops are lost. Authorities are working to clear roads and provide relief. People are advised to be careful.
Governor inaugurates Minjar Fair in Chamba
Bhopal Diary: Minister under fire for corruption video
Ex-Leader of Opposition gets death threat Former leader of the opposition and seven-time ex-Congress MLA Dr Govind Singh received a death threat over the phone on Friday. In the conversation, the caller said that the veteran politician would die soon and that his house too would be demolished. The 74-year-old veteran politician from Gwalior-Chambal region, reported the matter to the states Director Generel of Police (DGP). Based on is complaint, the police have begun a probe into the matter. Initial finding revealed that the number from which the threatening call was allegedly made is registered in the name of some Shailendra Chauhan in Uttar Pradesh. Minister under fire for corruption video A video message by the states Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Nagarsingh Chouhan has provided by the Congress with ammunition to attack the state government ahead of the July 28 monsoon Assembly session. In the video , Chouhan cautions applicants for the posts of Anganwadi workers and assistants about a suspected nexus between middlemen and officials of women-child development department in his home Alirajpur district as the recruitment process for over 19,000 vacancies across the state is on. Sharing the video, LoP Umang Singhar wrote, Now even MP ministers are admitting corruption in appointments at Anganwadis. BJP-Cong clash over name change proposal The clash between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over a name change proposal has once again erupted in the state. This time the parties are locking horns over renaming the century-old Hamidia Hospital, Hamidia College and Hamidia School, which are currently named after the citys last ruling Nawab Hamidullah. The proposal moved by a BJP leader and passed by the BMC, labelled Nawab Hamidullah as traitor, which also found support from MP minister Narendra Shivaji Patel and third-time local BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma. The move has been strongly opposed by Congress MLA Arif Masood. Anuraag singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com
The cumulative death toll has reached 135, of which 76 are due to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocution, while 59 deaths have occurred in road accidents, according to the SDMA's Cumulative Loss Report dated July 22, 2025.
ASI dies by suicide in Madhya Pradesh's Datia; alleges harassment by cops, sand mining mafia
BHOPAL: Prolonged mental harassment by a nexus of police, gambling and sand mining mafia allegedly led an assistant sub inspector (ASI) of police to die by suicide at his official quarter inside the Godan police station premises of Madhya Pradeshs Datia district early on Tuesday. The ASI, 51-year-old Pramod Pavan, who hailed from the scheduled caste, was found hanging to death. He posted multiple videos before allegedly resorting to the extreme step. In the videos, he can be seen alleging a nexus between mining-gambling mafia and the Godan police station in-charge Arvind Singh Bhadauria, the police stations constable-cum driver Roop Narayan Yadav and the in-charge of Tharet police station Anfasul Hasan. In one of the videos, the ASI alleged that he was being mentally harassed by the cops led by Godan police station in-charge Arvind Singh Bhadauria, since he stopped the tractor trolley loaded with illegally mined sand of sand mafia Babloo Yadav. I've been mentally harassed, Ive been virtually confined to the police station premises. I was not even able to get my Aadhar and SAMAGRA identity cards made by going to Bhander. Regularly, casteist slurs are passed at me, and Im even unable to have food. The three cops and the sand mafia Babloo Yadav have threatened to get me killed by running a tractor over me. If anything happens to me, all these three cops and the sand mafia Babloo Yadav will be responsible for it, ASI Pramod Pavan said in the video. In another video, possibly shot just before the alleged suicide, the ASI said that gambling dens were being run without any fear at 5-6 places by Raghu Yadav, Ram Lakhan Yadav and Ramraja Yadav with the protection of the Godan police station in-charge Arvind Singh Bhadauria and constable-cum-driver Roop Narayan Yadav. Multiple murders have taken place due to these gambling dens in the last few years, including the 2024 murder of Narendra Yadav. The police staff is stopped by the police station in charge and the constable-cum-driver from going to the field and acting against the gambling dens. If the call details of constable-cum-driver Roop Narayan Yadav are examined in detail, crucial evidence related to various murders will come to the fore, the ASI alleged before the alleged suicide. According to Datia district police superintendent Suraj Verma, The ASI was found hanging to death in his official quarter in the police station premises in the wee hours on Tuesday. Owing to the videos and the allegations levelled in those videos, a thorough probe has been ordered into the entire matter by the deputy SP (DySP-AJK). The Godan police station in-charge, Arvind Singh Bhadauria, has been attached to police lines to ensure a transparent probe. The incident has once again brought to the fore the menace of rampant illegal sand mining in the Gwalior-Chambal region. In 2018, a 50-year-old deputy forest ranger, Subedar Kushwah, was crushed to death allegedly by the sand mafia in Morena district. Kushwah was killed by the mining mafia in the same area where an additional SP (ASP) rank Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Narendra Kumar, was crushed to death by a tractor trolley engaged in illegalsand miningin theChambalRiver in March 2012. In 2019, then cabinet minister in the Kamal Nath-led Congress government, Govind Singh, had admitted that illegal sand and stone mining were rampant in the state, particularly in Datia and Bhind districts of Gwalior-Chambal region. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
J&K: Heavy rain triggers flood-like situation in Rajouri; schools closed
Incessant rainfall caused a flood-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, prompting school closures. The Dharhali and Saktoh rivers overflowed, disrupting normal life in low-lying areas. The Border Roads Organisation is working to improve connectivity and reduce waterlogging. Tragically, in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district, a landslide killed two people when a boulder struck a house during heavy rainfall.
Newlywed couple killed as landslides, flash floods wreak havoc in Himachal
CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall battered Himachal Pradesh, claiming the lives of a newlywed couple and disrupting connectivity across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extreme heavy rainfall in Shimla, Sirmaur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts and advised people to avoid travel. Several parts of the state have been receiving heavy showers since Sunday night. The newlywed couple was killed in Chamba after a boulder crashed onto their house while they were asleep. Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Mukesh Repaswal, said that a landslide hit two houses at Chari village of Chamba early in the morning. They had got married three months ago and were visiting the womans parental house at Chari when the incident occurred. The bodies have been recovered, he said. The heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides which have blocked the Chandigarh-Manali national highway at several points and cut off access to Kasauli, with over 401 roads shut across the state. The highway has been blocked at several locations, including Dwada, Jhalogi, Kainchi Mod, and near Pandoh in Mandi district, as well as NH-305 near Banjar in Kullu district, bringing traffic to a standstill. While the main route remains closed, an alternative route between Mandi and Kullu via Kamand and Kataula is currently open and being used to divert vehicles. Rescue and road clearance teams have been deployed to restore connectivity, but ongoing rainfall continues to hamper the efforts. As many as 401 roads across the state remain blocked due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, according to data released this evening by the State Emergency Operation Centre. Of these, 242 are in Mandi district, 55 in Kullu, 27 each in Shimla and Sirmaur, and 25 in Chamba. The report also noted disruptions to 682 electricity transformers and 151 water supply schemes. In Sirmaur, National Highway (NH) 707 remains blocked near Uttari due to falling debris. Meanwhile, in Solan district, traffic movement was severely disrupted as multiple routes -- including Kotli-Dharampur, Dharampur-Subathu, Dharampur-Kasauli, Jandauri-Pratha-Nabon, Kunihar-Totu, Waknaghat-Mamlig, and Kasauli-Jangeshu -- were hit by landslides following continuous rainfall. Massive traffic jams have been reported on these roads, forcing many travellers to take long detours or cancel their travel plans altogether. Most rivers and rivulets across the state are also in spate, prompting the opening of floodgates at the Larji and Kol dams as a precautionary measure. In response to the rising water levels, the administrations in Mandi and Chamba have also ordered the closure of schools in several areas of the two districts. Flash floods were reported in Churah sub-division of Chamba and Anni sub-division of Kullu following two cloudbursts. Meanwhile, a flood-like situation has emerged in several parts of Seraj in Mandi district, which had already been hit by flash floods on July 1. Continuous rainfall has forced the closure of schools in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, including Thunag sub-division in Mandi, and Kumarsain, Theog, Rohru, Jubbal, and Chopal in Shimla district. In Mandi, a vehicle was buried under a landslide near Thalot, while the Nakrod-Thalli bridge in Chamba district was washed away. In Shimla, the Jubbarhatti road was shut, leaving office-goers stranded for hours. So far this monsoon season, the state has witnessed 34 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 21 landslides, resulting in approximately Rs 1,235 crore in losses. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday spoke over the phone with the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to take stock of the situation caused by the ongoing spell of torrential rains. In light of the prevailing weather conditions, he directed officials to remain on alert and take proactive steps to prevent any untoward incidents. He also urged the public to stay away from rivers and nullahs. People's safety is our foremost priority. I request everyone to avoid going near water bodies and to strictly follow all advisories issued by the district administration, he said. Sukhu emphasised the importance of coordination among departments to ensure timely response in case of emergencies such as landslides, road blockages or flash floods. He directed that proper flow of essential services be ensured so that people do not face any inconvenience in their day to day activities. The chief minister also expressed grief over the death of the newly married couple at Sutaah gram panchayat of Rajnagar in Chamba district.
Four die in Himachal, five in Rajasthan's Kota as rain plays havoc
NEW DELHI: Four people died in Himachal Pradesh as rain continues to wreak havoc in the state, while five were swept away in Rajasthan's Kota at a barrage after a heavy downpour caused the authorities to release water from a reservoir. In Himachal, more than 200 roads are out of bounds for vehicular traffic, a majority of them in Mandi, while a flash flood warning has been issued for 12 districts in Jharkhand. An individual each drowned in Kullu and Kangra districts, one died after being bitten by a snake in Bilaspur, while one was killed after falling from a height, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, 61 people have died in the state in rain-related incidents. In Rajasthan, Khatauli in Kota district recorded 198 mm of rain over 24 hours, the highest in the state. Five youths were swept away in the Chambal River Monday afternoon after the water level suddenly rose following the release of water from 12 gates of the Kota Barrage. The identity of the five missing youths is yet to be confirmed, as the rescued individual is not in a condition to provide detailed information at this stage, Digod Police Station SHO Purshottam Mehta said. Due to continuous rainfall in the region, the authorities opened all 12 gates of the Kota Barrage at 11.30 am on Monday, releasing approximately 2.2692 lakh cusecs of water downstream, said Nisha Sharma, Junior Engineer at Kota Barrage. A met department official said that a circulation system over Madhya Pradesh has intensified into a low-pressure area. Due to the system, parts of Kota, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur divisions have seen heavy rain since yesterday. Delhi got a decent drizzle towards the evening, lifting the heavy humid pall it had sweltered under during the day. According to IMD data, Lodhi Road recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 18.5 mm till 8.30 am on Monday. Pragati Maidan received 24.3 mm of rain, Ayanagar, 15.5 mm, Safdarjung, 15.8 mm, and Palam, 8.5 mm. In Himachal Pradesh, 208 roads, including 157 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, are closed for vehicular traffic, while 745 water supply schemes and 139 power distribution transformers were affected. The local Met office has issued an Orange alert of heavy to very heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur on Monday, and Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur on Tuesday. It issued a Yellow alert, meaning heavy rain, for at least three of the 12 districts till Friday. In Odisha, the weather department forecasted heavy rainfall in 19 of the 30 districts, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked system. The India Meteorological Department cautioned fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours in the north Bay of Bengal, as squally winds, blowing at 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, were likely to prevail along and off north Odisha. A red warning was issued for extremely heavy rain, above 20 centimetres, in Mayurbhanj, Keonhar and Sundargarh. Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore were predicted to receive 12 cm to 20 cm of rain. The remaining districts were forecasted to witness 7-11 cm of precipitation. Kolkata is likely to experience spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain is likely across South Bengal districts, as a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre here. In Jharkhand, a flash flood warning was issued for Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Gumla, Khunti, Latehar, Lohardaga, Palamu, Ranchi, Saraikela, Simdega, and West Singhbhum districts till 11.30 am on Tuesday. Surface runoff and inundation may occur in some low-lying areas, the IMD said. A Red alert was sounded for heavy to extremely heavy rain in Saraikela-Kharswan, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum districts, and an Orange alert for Gumla, Khunti, and Simdega districts till 8.30 am on Tuesday. The weather office has issued a Yellow alert for heavy rain in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Hazaribag, Giridih, Koderma, and Deoghar till 8.30 am tomorrow. Ranchi Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Abhishek Anand said the state is likely to experience widespread rainfall till July 17 under the influence of a depression and monsoon trough.
Three Indian firms clinch deal with Saudis Ma aden for long-term DAP fertilizer supply
NEW DELHI, July 14: Three prominent Indian Fertilizer Companies, Indian Potash Limited (IPL), Krishak Bharti Cooperative Limited or KRIBHCO, and Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (CIL), signed a long-term agreement with Saudi-based Maaden to increase the annual supply of Diammonium Phosphate or DAP. The formalization of the agreement took place during the visit of Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, or Chemicals and Fertilizers, JP Nadda, to Saudi Arabia. The Minister was accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation including [] The post Three Indian firms clinch deal with Saudis Ma aden for long-term DAP fertilizer supply appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Flood fears mount as IMD issues orange alert for Himachal
Shimla, July 10: After three days of partial respite, Himachal Pradesh is once again under threat from renewed monsoon fury, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert today for several districts including Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmaur, warning of low to moderate flash flood risks and intense rainfall over isolated [] The post Flood fears mount as IMD issues orange alert for Himachal appeared first on Northlines .
Bomb hoax emails trigger evacuation of court complexes across Himachal Pradesh
CHANDIGARH: Panic gripped several district court complexes in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday after anonymous emails threatened to blow up the premises in Shimla, Nahan, Kullu, and Rampur. The threats led to the immediate evacuation of court buildings and a full-scale security response. However, no explosives were found, and court proceedings later resumed. According to sources, the email received by the district court in Shimla claimed that explosives had been planted on the premises and warned of imminent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and suicide bomb attacks. In response, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and police personnel carried out a thorough search of the premises. The entire complex was evacuated as a precaution. Similar threat emails were also received at the District and Sessions Court complexes in Kullu and Nahan. These buildings were also evacuated, and extensive searches were conducted, but no suspicious materials were discovered. Staff, lawyers, and members of the public were safely escorted from all affected premises. Kullu Superintendent of Police, Karthikeyan Gokulachandran, stated that the local police are working in coordination with the cybercrime unit to trace the origin of the emails. Security has been tightened across the district, particularly at key government buildings, he said. Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed that multiple locations, including Rampur, received similar email threats. Preventative measures were immediately undertaken, and police teams, led by DSP-level officers, were dispatched to the sites, he said. The Himachal Pradesh Police are also liaising with other states that have recently experienced similar threats. The Nahan Court Complex in Sirmaur district was also evacuated after receiving a threat email in the morning. Panic spread quickly, but authorities managed the evacuation in an orderly fashion. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the emails had been sent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), complicating efforts to identify the sender. The states cyber cell has been tasked with tracking the origin and determining the credibility of the threats. This is not the first time such hoax threats have disrupted official functioning in Himachal Pradesh. In recent months, similar email threats were sent to the Chief Secretarys Office at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, as well as to the offices of the Deputy Commissioners of Mandi, Chamba, and Hamirpur. One of the emails even threatened a suicide bombing at the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Authorities have reassured the public that the situation is under control and that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety and security of public institutions.
CHANDIGARH: As heavy rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh, the local meteorological department on Tuesday issued a warning stating that there is a risk of low to moderate flash floods in the next twenty four hours in parts of seven districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. A 'yellow' alert warning of heavy rains in isolated places across the state till next Monday has also been issued. The state has received 203.2 mm of rain against the normal of 152.6 mm from June 1 to July 8. Monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 20. While Mandi district recorded 110 per cent excess rain, Shimla received 89 per cent and Una 86 per cent during this period. Many parts of the hill state have been receiving moderate to heavy rain since Monday evening. Meanwhile Gohar has recorded 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 84.5 mm in Sarahan, 60 mm in Baijnath, 54.2 mm in Nahan, 48 mm in Poanta Sahib, 46.2 mm in Naina Devi, 37 mm in Kasauli, 28 mm in Jogindernagar and 27.2 mm in Palampur. As per the data with the State Emergency Operation Centre in Mandi district, 14 people have lost their lives, four injured, 28 missing and 290 rescued, while 466 houses have been damaged and 477 people are in relief camps. A total of 225 roads, including 153 in the worst-hit Mandi district, have been closed, while 163 transformers and 174 water supply schemes have been affected in the state. 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts and 16 landslides have been recorded since the onset of monsoon on June 20. Since then, 85 deaths were recorded in the state, of which 52 were due to rain-related incidents and 28 fatalities were caused by road accidents. In Mandi district, search and rescue operations have been intensified as drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace 28 people who went missing last week in Thunag, Gohar and Karsog subdivisions. So far, the estimated losses due to rains stand at around Rs 692 crore.
Young medicos campaign brings smart school to Rajasthans Chambal ravines
Himachal rains: Cloudbursts in Mandi, Chamba; woman swept away in Hamirpur
Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, the state has reported 78 deaths, of which 50 were linked to rain-related incidents such as cloudbursts, flash floods and landslips.
Narmada river swells as heavy rains lash upstream districts, floods Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol
BHOPAL: Heavy rains in various parts of Madhya Pradesh have triggered rise in rivers and other water bodies in the state, particularly in Mahakoshal and Gwalior-Chambal regions. Continued rise in the river Narmada due to heavy rains in the Mandla and Dindori districts (located on the banks of the rivers upstream), have prompted the authorities to open nine gates of the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district. Police and local administration have sounded a flood alert to people residing in the low-lying areas and ghats, including the riverside areas of Jabalpur. Continuous rain over the last 72 hours and heavy rains since Saturday night have caused flooding in many parts of Shahdol city. Three wards of the Shahdol district hospital, including the surgical ward, was inundated with rain water, forcing the hospital staff to shift patients to other wards. The tracks at the Shahdol railway station too got submerged, reportedly affecting the movement of trains for some hours. An elderly couple, living in a thatched hut instead of their neighbouring pucca PM Awas Yojana, were buried alive when a major part of the hut they were presently living in collapsed in Shahdols Burhar area due to heavy rains. Teams of State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) have been deployed in villages of Shahdol district to shift villagers to safer places. In Katni district, heavy waterlogging was reported under the main railway overbridge. In Shivpuri district of Gwalior-Chambal region water bodies, like Bhadaiya Kund and Pawa Waterfalls are replete with water and at their full might. Earlier, on Saturday, part of a culvert on the state highway connecting Narsinghpur district to Jabalpur district collapsed in Narsinghpur district following heavy rains. No human casualty or injuries, however, were reported. The weather department has sounded an orange alert of very heavy rains in districts of Mahakoshal region, including Seoni, Balaghat, Betul, Dindori, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Mandla and Pandhurna. Heavy rain alert has been sounded for 17 other districts of different regions.
Road Connectivity Brings Offbeat Tourist Destination Into Spotlight In J&Ks Doda
Bhaderwah, Jul 6: Bhal-Padri in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district is all set to host its first tourism festival this month after the high altitude scenic meadow was recently connected by road, bringing cheer to tourist stakeholders. Unexplored till now, the 11,000 feet high Bhal Padri is just 10 km from another tourist hot spot Padri, the highest point along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in this sub-district popularly known as mini-Kashmir for its scenic beauty. The district administration Doda and [] The post Road Connectivity Brings Offbeat Tourist Destination Into Spotlight In J&Ks Doda appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
HP: Met issues red alert for extremely heavy rains in 3 districts on Sunday, about 240 roads closed
An 'orange' warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla and Kullu districts
Red alert issued in Himachal Pradesh for Sunday
It also warned of low to moderate flash-flood risk in parts of five districts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur in the next 24 hours
Monsoon Fury leaves 69 dead, 37 missing in Himachal
SHIMLA, July 4 : Torrential rains and landslides across Himachal Pradesh have claimed 69 lives so far, with 37 people still missing, while the number of injured has risen to 110, according to official data from the State Emergency Operation Centre. The disaster has left a trail of destruction across several districts, triggering flash floods, slope failures, and infrastructure collapse. The worst-affected district, Mandi, reported 20 deaths, while Kangra recorded 13, followed by Chamba (7), Shimla (5), and Una (5). [] The post Monsoon Fury leaves 69 dead, 37 missing in Himachal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: With the recovery of five more bodies, the death toll in the three flash floods triggered by sixteen cloudbursts has now reached ten, with 34 people still missing in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, at least 370 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Mandi, Chamba, and Hamirpur districts of the state, as authorities continue search operations for the missing and work to restore blocked routes. The total damage to property in the hill state this monsoon season has so far been estimated at Rs 371.42 crore. Two bodies were recovered in Siyanj, Gohar, and one each in Thunag, Dhar Jarol, and Pandeev Sheel areas. The identities of the deceased have not yet been disclosed. The cloudbursts were reported at four locations in Gohar, three in Karsog, two in Dharampur, and one in Thunag, Mandi. As per the report from the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operations Centre, in the last thirty-two hours, the death toll has reached ten, all in Mandi district. Five individuals are injured, 34 people are missing, and 11 remain stranded. A total of 370 people have been evacuated, 316 from Mandi district, 51 from Hamirpur, and three from Chamba. Five dead, 16 missing, 332 rescued following flash floods in Mandi district in Himachal Additionally, 30 animals have died, and one hydroelectricity project has been damaged. A total of 24 houses, 12 cowsheds, one hydroelectricity project, and one bridge have sustained damage. Across the state, 282 roads are currently closed, 182 in Mandi, 37 in Kullu, 33 in Shimla, 12 in Sirmaur, six in Chamba, five in Hamirpur, three each in Kangra and Una, and one in Solan. Moreover, 1,361 electricity transformers and 639 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Two teams each from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with police and home guards, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations in the district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, at least 51 people have lost their lives and 22 others are missing, while 103 have been injured since June 20 following the onset of the monsoon. These rain-related incidents include flash floods, drowning, electrocution, falls from steep rocks, snake bites, and road accidents. A total of 204 houses, including 22 that were fully damaged (both pucca and kaccha structures), along with 84 shops, cowsheds, and labour huts, have also been damaged. The loss to private property is estimated at Rs 88.03 lakh, while damage to public infrastructure is far more extensive, amounting to Rs 283.39 crore, bringing the total estimated damage to Rs 371.42 crore. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall continues in several regions of the state.
25 MP govt employees suspected of using fake ST certificates for jobs; racket under probe
BHOPAL: At least 25 state government employees, including teachers, cops, engineers and doctors are suspected to be working on the basis of fake scheduled tribe certificates in Madhya Pradesh the state having the highest 21%-plus tribal population in India. A case has been registered by the MP Polices special task force (MPSTF) against six state government teachers, including three females identified as Sitaram, Jawahar Singh, Sarla Manjhi, Rajesh Kumar, Kusum Manjhi and Sunita Rawat for allegedly getting government jobs on the basis of fake scheduled tribe (ST) certificates, deputy SP (MPSTF-Gwalior Unit) Sanjiv Tiwari said. But its not just these six teachers only who attained state government jobs with the help of fake ST certificates. 19 more state government employees, including lecturers, cops, doctors and assistant engineers too are suspected to have attained state government jobs and investigations are underway. The probe began with a complaint to the special director general of police (Special DG-MPSTF) Pankaj Srivastava. Consequently an 11-strong special investigation team of Gwalior unit was formed under supervision of SP-STF Rajesh Bhadauria to further the investigations. Based on subsequent investigations 25 government employees were tracked, who are suspected to have attained the jobs by using the fake ST certificates. A case was subsequently registered against six of them (all teachers), while further investigations are underway against 19 others. Based on the findings of the continuing probe, more names will be added in the FIR. Not just have these employees been working in various state government departments, including education, health, revenue, police and even law department for as long as 10-15 years, but the organized racket which helped them get the fake caste certificates, has also ensured that they were not caught during the verification of their joining documents. Were now looking for those running the organized racket, a senior MPSTF officer told TNIE. Importantly, the majority of the fake certificates have been made in the states Gwalior-Chambal region. The same region which decades back was infamous for notorious dacoits, had recently hogged headlines after emerging as the nucleus of the recently busted Aadhar-manipulation based MP Police Constable Recruitment Exam 2023 racket. So far more than 30 cases have been registered in that case and over 30 people, including alleged racket operators, Aadhar centres operators, solvers from MP and Bihar and beneficiary candidates have been arrested in those cases.
Namibian cheetahs first home Kuno records 19 per cent tourist growth in 2024-25
BHOPAL: Tourist arrivals at Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park (KNP) the first home of African cheetahs in India have grown by 19% in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. Just a day before the park is closed for tourists as part of the annual July 1-September 30 monsoon closure the KNP management released figures of tourist arrivals spanning between 2019-20 and 2024-25. The figures showed that the tourist inflow at the park grew by 19%, rising from 3,221 travellers in 2023-24 to 3,833 (including 21 foreign tourists) in 2024-25. As part of re-introducing the fastest moving animal on earth into the Indian wilds again seven decades after it went extinct in the Indian forests due to rampant poaching -- 20 African cheetahs (from Namibia and South Africa) were introduced at the KNP in Sheopur district between September 2022 and February 2023. The tourist arrivals at the park which stood at 804 in 2019-20 grew by 12% to 903 in 2020-21. The numbers rose by 34% to 1,211 in 2021-22 and by 20% to 1,459 in 2022-23. The maximum surge in tourist arrivals, however, was reported in 2023-24, after the cheetahs were set free into the free ranging forests of the park located in the Gwalior-Chambal region of MP, Rajasthan. The tourist traffic grew by a massive 121% in 2023-24 to 3,221 tourists compared to the 1,459 total tourist arrivals at the park in 2022-23. The increase continued in 2024-25 also as the tourist arrivals grew by 19% to 3,833 tourists between Oct-June. Importantly, the park is open for the tourists annually from October to June and remains closed due to monsoon break between July 1 and September 30. Currently, there are 10 adult African (Namibian and South African) cheetahs and their 19 Indian born cubs at KNP. The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in western Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district became the second home to the African cheetahs in India on April 20, after South African male coalition Prabhas and Pavak were moved there from the KNP.
Red alert for downpour in Himachal; Shimla-Kalka rail line shut after overnight rains
Of the 12 districts, a red alert for downpour has been issued for 10 district -- Bilapsur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Kullu and Chamba -- for June 29.
Himachal flash floods: Five bodies recovered so far, search and rescue operation continues
SHIMLA: Search and rescue operation by joint teams of national and state disaster response forces, police and home guards to look for six missing people following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh resumed on Friday morning, officials said. These people are feared to have been swept away following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday. So far, five bodies have been recovered from a hydro project site in the Kangra district that was hit by flash floods on Wednesday while the search for three missing people is on. The teams are also searching for three persons who went missing at Rehla Bihal in the Kullu district after a cloudburst, officials said. Lovely from the Chamba district, whom the search teams rescued from a forest near the project site, said there were 13 people in the camp, of which five ran towards the hills while the remaining were swept by the gushing waters. We saw the floods coming and screamed to alert the people below before running to safety, Daya Kishan, a labourer, said. The project work had been suspended due to rain, and the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards them, sweeping several away, the officials said. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Baljinder Singh maintained that they are trying to trace the people feared to have been swept away from the project site. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Dharamshala Sudhir Sharma alleged that shelters were built near a stream, and not shifting labourers to safer areas when the weather deteriorated pointed towards negligence, which should be probed.
Himachal flash floods: Search operation to find missing people intensified, others rescued
SHIMLA: Search operations have been intensified to trace 10 people missing since the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal's Kangra and Kullu districts, officials said on Thursday. Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away due to heavy rains on Wednesday evening but some of the missing people have since been rescued. In Manuni Khad in Kangra district, around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in Manuni Khad of Khaniyara. Two people died due to the flash flood at the site. Three people at Rehla Bihal in Kullu district who were washed away in the deluge while trying to take away valuables from their homes are still missing. Two teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a team of home guards have been deployed at the spot and the National Disaster response Force (NDRF) has also been called for rescue efforts, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa after visiting the site. At the hydroelectric project site, six people are feared swept away by the floods while one person was seen fleeing to a nearby hill to save himself. His whereabouts are also not yet known, the DC said. The rest have been rescued safely, he said, adding that search and rescue is the first priority. Stranded tourist vehicles amid flash floods following cloudbursts at Manikaran valley, in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. A bereaved woman mourns after her family members were allegedly swept away near Bihari area amid flash floods due to cloudbursts, in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Some of the missing people hail from Nurpur and Chamba areas of Himachal Pradesh and others from Uttar Pradesh. A dedicated team has been sent to find the man who went into the hills during the floods. Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma who reached the spot on Thursday said the project site was one kilometer from his village. He said he received a call on Wednesday that the water level has surged and 15-20 people had been swept away. Sharma said that building sheds for labourers near the drain, and not shifting them when the weather was unsafe areas was negligence and an investigation should be initiated. The MLA also demanded adequate compensation to the family of the deceased. According to officials, the project work had been suspended due to the rain, and the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards the labour colony, sweeping several of them them away. In Kullu district, a search is underway to find three people who were swept away while trying to take away their valuables from their homes in Rehla Bihal area of Sainj. Three cloudbursts incidents were reported from Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal in Sainj and Shilagarh in Gadsa area of Kullu district. Flash floods were also reported from Manali and Banjar in the district, and search operations were underway.
Inter-state drug kingpin arrested from Chamba
Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 24: In a major crackdown on narcotics, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Udhampur District have arrested an inter-state drug kingpin from Himachal Pradesh in connection with a decade-old drug trafficking network. A police official said that the accused, Dhani Ram of Salooni, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, was arrested in FIR number 45/2025 registered under the NDPS Act at Police Station Chenani. He said technical, financial, and oral evidence linked Dhani Ram to large-scale drug trafficking activities [] The post Inter-state drug kingpin arrested from Chamba appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Inter-state Drug Kingpin arrested from Himachal
Jammu, Jun 23: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said an interstate drug kingpin was arrested from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Dhani Ram, a resident of Salooni village of Chamba, was wanted in connection with a case registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Chenani police station [] The post Inter-state Drug Kingpin arrested from Himachal appeared first on Northlines .
J&K Police Arrests Drug Kingpin From Himachal
Jammu, Jun 23: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said an interstate drug kingpin was arrested from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Dhani Ram, a resident of Salooni village of Chamba, was wanted in connection with a case registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Chenani police station in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police spokesperson said. He said a police party from Udhampur successfully arrested Ram, who, based on technical, [] The post J&K Police Arrests Drug Kingpin From Himachal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BOPAL: Two suspected cases of honour killing were reported from Morena and Betul districts in Madhya Pradesh. In the Morena district, a Class XI girl was allegedly shot dead at point-blank range for being in a relationship with a youth from another caste. In a separate incident in Betul district, a man who had eloped with a married woman was beaten to death by her relatives, including her husband. Both incidents occurred on June 16. The accused in the two cases were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. In the Jaura area of the Gwalior-Chambal regions Morena district, a 19-year-old Class XI student, Malishka, was allegedly shot dead on the night of June 16. Her grandfather, Sirnam Singh, initially claimed that she had been killed by four armed men who stopped her while she was returning home with her parents from her maternal uncles village. Singh alleged that the murder was the result of a land dispute with another family in their village. However, police investigations revealed inconsistencies in his statement. The teenager had been shot three times in the head from point-blank range. Upon sustained questioning, it was revealed that Sirnam Singh himself was behind Malishkas killing. According to the police, Malishka had previously been in a relationship with a distant relative but later fell in love with a youth from another caste in the same village. This relationship was not accepted by her grandfather Sirnam Singh or the youths father, Naresh Tyagi. Both men allegedly planned and executed the honour killing on the night of June 16. They are currently in police custody. In Betul district in central Madhya Pradesh, a youth identified as Raja Ghorpade was allegedly beaten to death by members of the family of a married woman with whom he had eloped in May 2025. On May 4, Sangita Nagle, a married woman, eloped to Gujarat with her alleged lover, Raja Ghorpade, along with her five-year-old daughter. She had reportedly been facing frequent quarrels with her husband, Baldev. After the couple eloped, Sangitas family reached out to her and convinced her to return, assuring her that they would help her legally separate from Baldev. Trusting their promise, Sangita returned to Betul with Raja and her daughter. However, on June 16, while they were returning by bus, her husband and other family members intercepted the vehicle. Sangitas husband, nine other men, and her sister-in-law then assaulted Raja Ghorpade brutally, leaving him unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital by police but was declared dead by doctors. Following the incident, the Betul district police arrested all eleven accused involved in the assault. The arrested include Sangitas husband Baldev Nagle, his brother Summy Nagle, eight other men, and her sister-in-law Sonam Nagle.
Bhopal Diary | CM turns fitness guru for young legislators
A resolute grappler in his younger days, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav turned yoga and fitness guru for young and first-time ministers and legislators ahead of the final day of the three-day BJP training camp for 200 odd MPs and MLAs at Pachmarhi hill station recently. Early on the final morning, the CM demonstrated the toughest Shirshasana and Mayurasana. Racalling his time as a wrestler, the CM highlighted the importance of staying fit and strong. He even challenged young MLAs to bend his arm, which they failed to do. Many youngsters could be heard murumuring later that the CM is rock solid, even at the age of 60. 2-time former MLA quits Congress Two-time former MLA Virendra Raghuvanshi has quit the Congress 19 months after he joined the grand old party having quit the BJP. Citing health reasons, Raghuvanshi quit the principal opposition party on Monday. Raghuvanshi is the former MLA from Kolaras and Shivpuri seats of Gwalior-Chambal regions Shivpuri district. He had won the Shivpuri assembly seat in a 2006 byelection as a Congress candidate. Twelve years later, he won the Kolaras seat on a BJP ticket, but left the ruling party in September 2023, two months before elections and rejoined the Congress. Raghuvanshi, however, was denied a ticket by the Congress in the 2023 assembly polls. Congress rebuilding meet turns battleground A meeting of the ambitious Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, the statewide campaign to rebuild the Congress in MP, turned into a battlefield of two rival factions on Tuesday. The meeting under the campaign in Bhopals Central assembly segment (graced by AICC observer and ex-Maharashtra minister Yashomati Thakur) saw supporters of second-time MLA Arif Masood and another leader Syed Sajid Ali clash with each other. Both sides have submitted complaints to the local police in the matter. Notably, supporters of Ali had also created ruckus for naming him the candidate from Bhopal Madhya seat in the last assembly polls. Anuraag singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com
MP exam fraud: Kingpin Amitabh Rawat's inter-state racket exposed
BHOPAL: One of the prime kingpins of the recently busted Madhya Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment Exam 2023 Aadhaar-manipulated multiple impersonation racket wasnt new to the world of government recruitment examination frauds. Carrying a Rs 10,000 bounty on his arrest announced by northern MPs Sheopur district police, government school teacher-turned-alleged exam fraudster Amitabh Rawat has been accused in the past as well in cases about examination frauds, not just in his home state of Madhya Pradesh, but also in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Rawat, whose wife is an elected village sarpanch in the native Morena district of MPs Gwalior-Chambal region, was last arrested in February 2024 from Jhansi by the UP STF and Jhansi Police in connection with the alleged leak of the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam 2024. But it wasnt the first time that Rawat was arrested by any state police in connection with an alleged examination-related fraud case. Back in 2017, he was arrested in his native MP in connection with the multi-layered Vyapam scam case for arranging proxy candidates or solvers to take government recruitment exams in place of actual beneficiaries. After being lodged in a jail in Gwalior district until 2020, he was granted bail by the MP High Court. According to sources investigating the recently busted MP Police Constable Recruitment Aadhaar-manipulated impersonation racket, Rawat is believed to have been involved in frauds across several recruitment examinations in Madhya Pradesh using various cheating methods, including proxy candidates, bypassing biometric tests, paper leaks and screen sharing (in online exams), the official said. According to sources part of the ongoing probe, the 48-year-old Rawat allegedly headed one of three inter-state rackets that were engaged in the fraud in the 2023 MP Police Recruitment Exams written test. The other two rackets were headed by Morena district-based Shyam Rawat and Ashok Gurjar. Just like Amitabh Rawat, his caste man Shyam Rawat is also absconding and carries a similar Rs 10,000 reward on his arrest. All three rackets arranged solvers (proxy candidates) from Bihar and MP to take the written exam, which was held in 2023 on different dates across MP, in place of the actual candidates. This was done by replacing the picture and biometric (fingerprint) data in the actual candidates Aadhaar ID with the picture and fingerprints of the solver just before the written exam. The three rackets had links with dedicated Aadhaar ID manipulation operatives, who used login IDs and passwords of Aadhaar centres in MP, Delhi and UP, and controlled them remotely using desktop applications like AnyDesk. Two of the masterminds who worked with multiple Aadhaar centres in MP and outside included Surendra Kushwah who worked as the Aadhaar ID facilitator for the Amitabh Rawat-led racket and Kanhaiya Dhakad, who performed the same role for Shyam Rawats racket. While Surendra Kushwah (who has already been arrested) used login IDs and passwords of registered and authorised Aadhaar ID centres in Chhatarpur, Narsinghpur and other districts of MP, as well as Delhi, Kanhaiya Dhakad, who worked with Shyam Rawats racket, used the login credentials of Aadhaar centres particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal region of MP, especially Shivpuri district. Dhakad, who hails from MPs Shivpuri district, along with his family members, operated an Aadhaar registration and updating kiosk in Shivpuri between 2011 and 2023, and knew every nut and bolt related to Aadhaar IDs. After 2023, he began using login IDs and passwords of other registered Aadhaar registration centres in MP to assist the recruitment exam impersonation rackets, particularly the one headed by Amitabh Rawat. Dhakad, like the racketeer Amitabh Rawat, carried a reward of Rs 10,000 on arrest. He was arrested on Monday, making him the 12th man to be arrested in three cases of the MP Police Constable 2023 Recruitment Exam fraud. Were hopeful that his questioning in the coming days will lead to big disclosures, Sheopur district police superintendent Virendra Jain told TNIE on Tuesday. As per sources connected with the ongoing investigations, Amitabh Rawats racket, by working with Dhakad and aides, might have managed to get more than 50 candidates to pass the 2023 MP Police Constable Recruitment written exam and qualify for the physical proficiency test (PPT) conducted in 2024. In return, Rawat charged sums ranging from Rs 10-15 lakh from each candidate. The solvers who appeared in the written exam in place of actual candidates received Rs 1 to Rs 4 lakh per selected candidate, while Aadhaar manipulators like Dhakad received between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 per candidate. So far, more than 20 cases have been registered in around ten districts of MP in connection with the Constable Recruitment Exam fraud, and over 25 individuals including actual beneficiary candidates, solvers, and Aadhaar centre operators have been arrested.
How Aadhaar fudging aided Madhya Pradesh cop recruitment scam
BHOPAL: Paliganj town 50 km from the Bihar capital is in news nearly a thousand km away in Madhya Pradesh, thanks to one of its government school teachers, who has emerged as the key solver of an inter-state Aadhaar ID manipulation-enabled examination racket, which helped candidates from the Gwalior-Chambal region crack the 2023 MP Police Constable Recruitment Exam. Ranjan Kumar Gupta, a school teacher from Paliganj appeared in place of ten candidates, including one of the merit holders of the exam who secured 87 out of 100 marks. Besides Gupta, who is now in police custody in MPs Sheopur district, at least five more solvers from the same eastern state also appeared through the same modus operandi for dozens of other candidates in MP, in return for Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh subject to passing of the candidate. Another solver from Bihars Gaya district, Amrendra Singh Bahubali appeared for eight candidates, for Rs 1 lakh each. He is now in police custody in Alirajpur district, following the arrest of Ramrup Gurjar, the candidate from MPs Gwalior-Chambal region who managed to clear the written test by making Amrendra appear in his place and subsequently cracked the 2024 physical proficiency test on his own, to finally be selected for the constables job. The solvers from Bihar travelled between Patna and MP by air on tickets booked by the examinations main rackets mastermind Amitabh Rawat and aides in Gwalior-Chambal region. They were comforted in big hotels and travelled to examination centres across MP in snazzy cars. The racket mastermind and aides also took special care of the fun and frolic demanded by the solvers from Bihar during their stay in MP , a police officer forming a key part of the ongoing probe told this newspaper. Eyeing to earn big (around `40 lakh after appearing for ten candidates) Ranjan now feels cheated by the mastermind of the racket Morena district-based Amitabh Rawat who is also a school teacher, and a village sarpanchs husband. Carrying a Rs 10,000 reward on his arrest, Rawat, who is now on the run, made Ranjan appear for ten candidates, but paid him just Rs 4 lakh. Ranjan, however, is confident that he wouldnt have failed in getting less than 6-7 candidates pass the 2023 written test to qualify for the 2024 physical proficiency test. The candidates for whom he appeared, included at least three close relatives of the rackets mastermind Amitabh Rawat. Just like us, Ranjan too is keenly awaiting Rawats arrest, but for different reasons, the police officer confided. While Rawat , who is a Meena caste strongman in Morena, ran the biggest racket, smaller rackets run by some other caste strongmen (including Thakurs and Gurjars) were also active in other districts of the same northern MP region.
SC to hear MP journalists plea over police assault for reporting on illegal sand mining
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday, June 9, a plea filed by two Madhya Pradesh (MP) journalists who were allegedly assaulted and abused at the instance of Bhinds Superintendent of Police over their reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal river. As per the causelist published on the website Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
BHOPAL: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has drawn flak for his lame horses remark made at the Madhya Pradesh Congress convention in Bhopal on Tuesday. In a post on social media platform X on Thursday, international para swimmer and Padma Shri awardee Satendra Singh Lohiya voiced his strong objection to the remark by Gandhi, saying it was not only 'insensitive' but also 'legally objectionable'. Hinting at minimising the role of inactive and jaded leaders and promoting active and committed ones in the state, Gandhi had said, We must identify and segregate race horses, wedding horses and lame horses. The race horses will be promoted, the wedding horses will be set aside for 'weddings', while the time has come for the lame horses to retire. In response, Lohiya wrote, Im an international level para swimmer and a Divyang (specially-abled) and also a responsible citizen of the country. In a recent public statement in Bhopal, he (Gandhi) used the word langda, which hurt me a lot. The word is not only insensitive, but according to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, this terminology has been abolished and is legally considered objectionable. This Act was passed by the Parliament with the purpose of giving Divyangjan a place of respect and dignity in the society. We were given a positive word like Divyang by the PM Narendra Modi, which reflects our capabilities, not our challenges. In such a situation when the country hears such an insensitive word from a national leader, it hurts the sentiments of not just one person, but the entire Divyang community, Lohiya posted. I dont know in which context he (Gandhi) used the word, but I request him to clarify on this matter and avoid using such language in future, keeping in mind the sentiments of specially-abled people. He is requested to take this matter seriously and give an appropriate response, respecting the sentiments of Divyang people of the country, he added in the post. 'Lame horses need to retire': Rahul Gandhi launches campaign to revive Congress in BJP-ruled MP Later in the day, Lohiya also confirmed that he was requested by some of his contacts (local Congress leaders) to remove the post, but said he wont do it till Rahul Gandhi issues a clarification about the remark. Im not a politician, Im an international para swimmer, who has dedicated two decades of life to swimming and the cause of the Divyang people. Not just Rahul Gandhi, I too have taken out a yatra for the cause of Divyangs from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. I cant take any insults against Divyangs, Lohiya told journalists on Thursday. The Indore-based Lohiya, who hails from Bhind district of Gwalior-Chambal region, became the first para swimmer in 2018 to successfully cross the English Channel. Having participated in seven national and three international para swimming meets, Lohiya has won 20 medals, including five golds. He was honoured with the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2020 and four years later awarded the Padmashri. Lohiyas social media post expressing displeasure with the Rae Bareli MPs remark came a day after the Divyang Adhikar Mahasangh, a Jaipur-based advocacy group, formally registered a protest over Gandhis remark and wrote to the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, government of India and the chief election commissioner. In a related development, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, during a visit to his home city Gwalior on Thursday, slammed Gandhi for using a term allegedly demeaning to people with disabilities (PwDs) and reminded him of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had coined the word 'divyangjan' for them.
A grandson of a dacoit in Madhya Pradesh's Chambal, became an officer, this is an inspiring story of Dev Tomar, a resident of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Dev Tomar changed his family reputation entirely, by cracking UPSC Civil Service Exam (CSE) 2024.
In Rajasthan's Chambal, wives of ex-dacoits lead revival of water sources and hope
In Rajasthan's Karauli, women, facing drought-driven despair and men turning to dacoity, spearheaded a water conservation movement. Partnering with Tarun Bharat Sangh, they revived ponds and built new water bodies, transforming the parched landscape. This community-led effort brought stability, increased agricultural yields, and reduced crime, showcasing the power of collective action in combating climate change impacts.
Bhind set to be new industrial hub in Gwalior-Chambal region, says MP CM Mohan Yadav
Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop Bhind as a major industrial center in the Gwalior-Chambal area. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced this at a rally, highlighting the region's history of military service. He also mentioned irrigation projects like the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal River Project. These projects aim to boost irrigation, drinking water access, and industrial resources.
Selsella Block-o kam kagiparangna quarter-rangko onchina NGO-rang dabia
TURA: Selsella C&RD Block-o kam kaenggiparangna dongchakani quarter-rangko onchina gita didie, Selsella jolo donggipa dingtang dingtang dolrang, chongmotan GSU, FKJGP, ADE, ASWA, NGCO, ANYO, GSMC aro ACHIK dolrangni nangrime bikotgipa All Selsella NGOs Alliance (ASNA), C&RD department-ni Director-na sedoataha. ASNA-ni parakatani gitade, ia Selsella Block-ara adoko gitchambatsranggipa block-rangoni damsa ongengoba daonan ia Block-o kam kagiparangna [] The post Selsella Block-o kam kagiparangna quarter-rangko onchina NGO-rang dabia appeared first on The Shillong Times .
GH-o opposition dolrang bilgriani gimin NPP-na maming rabiani dongja: Marcuise
SHILLONG: Garo Hills-o Opposition dolrang, chongmotan Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC) aro Voice of the Peoples Party (VPP) dolrang bilakna mankujaengani gimin National Peoples Party (NPP)-na maming rabianirang dongja ine NPP-ni working president aro adokni Cabinet Minister Marcuise N Marak akangataha. Asongo Congress dolan gitchambatsranggipa party onga indiba daode Garo Hills-o bilgriaha. Uamangni bangbata dilgiparangan NPP-o [] The post GH-o opposition dolrang bilgriani gimin NPP-na maming rabiani dongja: Marcuise appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Earthquake of magnitude 3.3 jolts Himachal Pradesh's Chamba
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh experienced an earthquake on Monday morning. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 3.3.
Athlete fights off crocodile attack, escapes with severe injuries in Agra
LUCKNOW: Defying the deadly jaws of death, an 18-year-old national-level athlete had a providential escape when he was attacked by a crocodile while bathing in the Chambal River in Agra. Athlete Karan Kumar, a resident of Agra, fought back bravely and broke free from the jaws of the animal, which tore off pieces of flesh from his hand and leg. Karan is currently recovering in a hospital in Agra, and his condition is stated to be stable. According to family sources, Karan had gone to bathe at Kainjra Ghat along the Chambal River around 9 am on 13 May. While taking a dip in the river, a crocodile suddenly attacked him from behind, biting his leg and causing severe pain and bleeding. As the crocodiles sharp teeth dug deep into his leg, a petrified Karan screamed for help. Those on the shore began shouting, but no one could muster the courage to approach the victim. The crocodile then bit his hand, tearing away a chunk of flesh. The family further shared that despite the pain, Karan turned towards the crocodile and began kicking and punching it with all his strength. He kept hitting the crocodile's mouth with his right hand for 23 minutes, following which the grip of the animal loosened slightly. This allowed Karan to pull his hand out of the crocodiles jaws and swim back to the riverbank quickly. Local villagers present at the ghat rushed him to a nearby medical shop for an injection, after which his father and brother brought him to Agra for treatment. Karan suffered injuries to his hand, leg, and head. The crocodile had bitten into his flesh, and he lost a considerable amount of blood during the attack, said father Dara Singh, adding that the doctors had said his condition was stable. According to the family, Karan is a national-level runner. In 2023, he won two gold medals in 400-metre races held at Eklavya Sports Stadium in Agra. Due to his recent injuries, doctors have advised him to rest before resuming practice. Karans father, Dara Singh, is a farmer. The family survives on farming. His elder brother, Kamlesh, is an Agniveer aspirant, and his younger brother, Arjun, is a student. According to forest authorities in Agra, there are 742 crocodiles in the Chambal River, which is 80 km from Agra. Some of these crocodiles are as long as 17 feet.
MP, Maharashtra sign MoU for implementing worlds largest ground recharge project
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, described by officials as the worlds largest groundwater recharge scheme. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis attended the 28th meeting of the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra Inter State Control Board here, where both the BJP-ruled state governments inked the MoU. The Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project is the third major inter-state river project featuring MP in the last five months, after the Ken-Betwa Link Project, which features MP and UP, and Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link project, which has participation of MP and Rajasthan. Through the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, three streams of the Tapti river, which originates from Multai in MP, will be developed in collaboration with the Maharashtra government to ensure optimal use of every drop of river water for irrigation in across both the states. The interests of Madhya Pradeshs water needs have been carefully considered in this project. The total water usage in the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project will be 31.13 TMC , with 11.76 TMC allocated to MP and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra. The project will utilise 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh, with no displacement of villages and no need for rehabilitation. The project will provide permanent irrigation facilities to 1,23,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra. Initially, a traditional reservoir project of 66 TMC capacity was proposed, which would have affected over 17,000 hectares of land, including forest areas and tiger reserves, and displaced around 14,000 people across 73 villages. The earlier model has now been replaced with a groundwater recharge-based approach, avoiding displacement and environmental impact. Today is a historic day as both states have agreed to implement the project conceptualised a long time back. Even the Inter-State Control Board meeting happened after 25 years, Fadnavis said. Both states will benefit from the implementation of the project, with Maharashtras three districts Budhana, Akola and Amravati, which have long been facing the problem of salty water, will be the major beneficiaries. This will help agriculture, drinking water and boost the overall economy of the two neighbouring states, he said. CM Yadav said, The implementation of the project will boost the entire economy of the Nimar (southwestern MP) region.
Heard On The Street: Dealers Spot Action In Paytm, Eternal, Chambal Fertilisers, Zaggle And More
This edition of Heard On The Street provides you with buzzing action on stocks like Paytm, Ethernal, Aditya Birla Fashion, Chambal Fertilisers, Shakti Pumps, Zaggle and Goldiam International.
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Closed After Mudslide In J&Ks Ramban
JAMMU, May 8: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was closed on Thursday morning due to a mudslide triggered by rainy weather. Officials said that vehicular traffic on the highway (NH-44) has been temporarily suspended following a mudslide at Chamba Seri in Ramban district. The road has been blocked in both directions after debris fell on the stretch, halting movement. Clearance operations are underway. Commuters are advised to [] The post Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Closed After Mudslide In J&Ks Ramban appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Chambal model to uproot Maoists in MP soon
BHOPAL: More than two decades after special anti-dacoit informers played a key role in elimination of inter-state dacoits from the ravines of Chambal, Madhya Pradesh is set to replicate the same strategy to end the menace of left-wing extremism (LWE) in three districts bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The state cabinet on Tuesday approved 850 posts for a special auxiliary force for Maoist-affected Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts for one year. The 850 volunteers will get a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 each for one year, which will cost Rs 25 crore to the state government. Following the aggressive anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, there are inputs of movement of the outlaws in the three districts of MP. The 850 recruits, who will be local residents, will serve as a key information base to forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations, cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said. A similar army of 1000 informers had played important role in elimination of dreaded dacoit gangs from the ravines of Chambal. Those 1000 posts were lying defunct since dacoits were eliminated. As many as 150 of such informers were recruited in 2022 in the Maoist-hit areas of the state, who, police say, played a key role in elimination of Maoists in the last two years, including six women Maoist cadres in February-March. This latest decision to recruit 850 youngsters will give a decisive edge to the forces engaged in anti-Maoists operations in the dense forests. It will not just give employment for a year to the youth, but the best and most skilled among them might well be absorbed in the police force in the same region, special DG (anti-Naxal operations) Pankaj Srivastava told this newspaper. According to sources, 60-75 armed Maoists, including women cadres, are moving in the jungles of Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts. 850 posts for a special auxiliary force okayed The state cabinet Tuesday approved 850 posts for a special auxiliary force for Maoist-affected Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts for one year. The 850 volunteers will get a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 each for one year, which will cost the state Rs 25 crore.
Hailstorm and thundershowers lash Himachal, mercury drops sharply
SHIMLA, May 4: Himachal Pradesh witnessed a sharp shift from the ongoing heatwave as widespread thundershowers, hailstorms, and strong winds lashed several parts of the state, disrupting normal life and bringing down temperatures significantly. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), hailstorms and thundershowers affected districts like Shimla, Kangra, Chamba, and Kullu, reducing visibility and causing inconvenience to residents and tourists alike. The State Disaster Management Authority also issued an advisory as gusty winds touched speeds of 50 kmph in [] The post Hailstorm and thundershowers lash Himachal, mercury drops sharply appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Heavy Rain Triggers Mudslides In J&Ks Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar NH Closed
Ramban/Jammu, May 2: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed after cloudburst-induced heavy rain triggered mudslides in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban district on Friday, a traffic police officer said. The heavy rain triggered flash floods in the Chenab river, prompting the authorities in Reasi and Akhnoor sectors to issue warnings about avoiding the riverbank. Vehicular movement has stopped from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to mudslides at Chamba Seri in Ramban following flash floods caused by a cloudburst, [] The post Heavy Rain Triggers Mudslides In J&Ks Ramban, Jammu-Srinagar NH Closed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rajasthan to join Indias first cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh
JAIPUR: Rajasthan is all set to become a part of Indias first cheetah reintroduction project, currently operational in Madhya Pradesh. A wildlife corridor spanning 17,000 square kilometers will be developed across both states, allowing cheetahs to roam freely in a protected and connected habitat. The corridor will link Palpur Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh with the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. As part of the plan, seven districts in Rajasthan Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Chittorgarh will be integrated into the project. Speaking in Jaipur on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasised the success of the cheetah project, describing it as a unique initiative in Asia. It is a matter of pride that cheetahs are thriving here. This is among the most successful wildlife conservation efforts globally, he said. Yadav also stated that the project would now move forward in collaboration with Rajasthan. Highlighting past joint efforts, the MP Chief Minister recalled the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river linking project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are confident that both states will progress together on this project under the leadership of the Prime Minister, he added. According to the action plan released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has designated the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape as a suitable cheetah habitat. Of the total corridor area, 10,500 square kilometers fall within Madhya Pradesh, while 6,500 square kilometers are in Rajasthan. The corridor will enable cheetahs to move from Kuno National Park through the Mukundara Hills Reserve in Rajasthan to Gandhi Sagar. Discussions are also underway to include parts of Uttar Pradesh, specifically the forest areas of Jhansi and Lalitpur, within the extended landscape. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is in the pipeline. The proposal has reached the Chief Ministers of both states and is awaiting final approval. During his visit to Jaipur, CM Mohan Yadav met with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Sources suggest that discussions on the cheetah corridor were held, and the signing of the MoU is expected soon.
20 injured after pick-up truck overturns in Himachal's Chamba
SHIMLA: At least 20 people sustained injuries on Tuesday after a pick-up truck they were travelling in overturned on the Chamba-Langera link road in Chamba district, police said. The accident took place near Shirvas village when the driver of the pick-up truck lost control of the vehicle, they said. Police rescued the injured persons with the help of the locals and shifted them to the civil hospital in Killar, from where some with serious injuries were referred to the Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College in Chamba, officials said.
Hamirpur, Chamba DC offices get bomb threat; police search premises
Authorities in Hamirpur and Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, evacuated district commissioner offices following bomb threats received via email. Chamba DC Mukesh Repaswal reported the threat, prompting police to cordon off the area and initiate search operations. A similar evacuation occurred in Hamirpur, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's home district, with dog squads and fire brigades deployed.
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh Police have heightened security measures across the state, particularly in border areas and popular tourist destinations. Border districts like Chamba and Kangra are on high alert, with increased surveillance, patrolling, and stricter checks at inter-state borders.
Thunderstorm, hailstorm batter parts of Himachal Pradesh causing widespread damage
CHANDIGARH: A squall accompanied by heavy rain and hailstorms lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday night, causing widespread damage and power outages were across the state. Shimla remained without electricity for several hours. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning in parts of the state on April 18 and 19. Meanwhile, heavy rains also lashed Punjab and Chandigarh. The squall struck Shimla around 11:15 PM plunging the town into darkness, the power supply was restored 10 hours later. The thunderstorm uprooted trees causing damage to vehicles, and blew off the roofs of makeshift houses. In the upper Shimla region, high-velocity winds caused significant damage to apple and stone fruit trees like plum and apricot. In many areas, fruit was knocked off the trees. Apple growers in Jubbal and Rampur reported major losses. The weather office has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur and Kinnaur districts on April 18 and 19. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti districts during this period. On April 20 light to moderate rains are likely at many places and at few places on April 21 and 22 due to fresh Western Disturbance, as a cyclonic circulation lies over the region. There was an appreciable fall in the minimum temperatures. Lahaul and Spitis Keylong was coldest at night with a low of 0.5 degree Celsius. As per MeT, Seobagh in Kullu district recorded the highest rainfall of 28.8 mm, followed by Lahaul-Spitis Kukumseri 23.8 mm, Narkanda 18 mm, Mandi 17.6 mm, Dharamshala 17 mm, Chamba 16 mm, Kalpa 15.6, Kufri 15 mm while the tourist resorts of Kasauli received 14.4 mm rain, Dalhousie 10 mm, Shimla 9.6 mm and Manali 6.8 mm. Heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, lashed many parts of Punjab and Chandigarh late yesterday night and in the early today morning. As per the MeT Department Chandigarh received 8.3 mm of rain, however, the sky became clear in the morning and residents woke up to sunny weather. While Amritsar received (4.5 mm), Pathankot (3.2 mm), Gurdaspur (18.8 mm) and Rupnagar (6 mm) and in neighboring Haryana, Ambala received a light shower.
Trees Uprooted, Roads Blocked In Shimla As Storm Hits Himachal Pradesh, IMD Issues Orange Alert
Himachal Weather: Yellow and orange alert have been in place for several districts across state including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti.
Akhilesh accused CM Adityanath govt of indulging in large-scale mining in Chambal ravines
Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether the small and large hills near the historic Sumer Singh Fort had been ransferred to regions like Basti and Gorakhpur in collusion with lower and higher-ranking officials
Himachal Day 2025: Date, venue, significance, messges to share with loved ones and more
Himachal Day, celebrated annually on April 15th, commemorates Himachal Pradesh's formation as an Indian province, highlighting its cultural heritage and progress. In 2025, the state-level celebration will be held in Pangi Valley, Chamba district, emphasizing the government's commitment to inclusive development in remote areas.
Ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti, Madhya Pradesh names newest wildlife sanctuary after Dr B R Ambedkar
BHOPAL: Ahead of Dr. B.R. Ambedkars 134th birth anniversary, the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government has named its 25th wildlife sanctuary in his honour, dedicating it to the Father of the Indian Constitution. The state forest department issued on Friday, a notification declaring 258.64 square km of protected forest area in the North Sagar forest division of the Bundelkhand region as Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary. The protected forest area of two development blocks of Sagar district, including Banda and Shahgarh, will form part of the new sanctuary. Following Friday's two-page notification, the new sanctuary will be the first wildlife sanctuary, national park or wildlife sanctuary in MP to be named after Dr BR Ambedkar -- who was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow town of MPs present Indore district. While it would be the first wildlife sanctuary in MP to be named after Dr BR Ambedkar, the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, already has Dr BR Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary in the Kunda area of the Pratapgarh district. The new sanctuary, declared through a notification on Friday, assumes particular significance, as it will serve as the protected and secured wild corridor between Panna Tiger Reserve in Bundelkhand region and the recently declared Madhav Tiger Reserve in the Gwalior-Chambal region. A tiger-cheetah corridor is the ambitious idea of central and state governments in the Gwalior-Chambal region of MP and adjoining Rajasthan, spanning from Madhav National Park-Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri district to the Ranthambore National Park-Tiger Reserve in Rajasthans Sawai Madhopur district, via the first of home African cheetahs in India the Kuno National Park in MPs Sheopur district. Once Madhav Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve get connected with the new wild corridor the Dr BR Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary it will lead to the emergence of perhaps the longest and largest tiger corridor of North-Central India. According to sources in the state forest department, the MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav is likely to publicly unveil the new wildlife sanctuary on the Ambedkar Jayanti on Monday. This newest development of declaring a new wildlife sanctuary in the tiger-cheetah-leopard-wolf-gharial and vulture state, is the third major development in wildlife and forest conservation in the central Indian state, after declaring of two new tiger reserves Ratapani Tiger Reserve in central MP and the Madhav Tiger Reserve in the Gwalior-Chambal region. Not just that, but the state is likely to get two more wildlife sanctuaries by the end of this month in form of the Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (a project which has been pending since decades) between Dewas and Khandwa districts of western and southwestern MP and the Jahangarh Wildlife Sanctuary which will neighbor the Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. While Omkareshwar Sanctuary which is proposed to come up in 614.07 square kms will serve as the western limit of tiger movement in MP, the Jahangarh Sanctuary is planned to come up in 6.32 square kms.
