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Conspirator in loot of explosives by Maoists held in Odisha

ROURKELA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Rourkela police on Sunday claimed to have made a significant breakthrough in the loot of explosives by Maoists by arresting the main conspirator identified as George Munda alias Kullu (43). Police said Munda of Banko village in K Balang area had set up links with the Maoists for his own personal interest and facilitated the loot of the explosives-laden truck by providing detailed information about the stone quarry near which the crime took place. DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai said during investigation, the SIT questioned several villagers and the name of Munda emerged as the leading conspirator. Munda was grilled and he confessed to the crime. For his own selfish interest, the accused collaborated with the Maoists and assisted in the crime by providing minute details of the status and operational procedures of the Banko stone quarry. Police sources said Munda was staying opposite to the stone quarry at Banko village. He was reportedly extracting stones illegally from the quarry prior to its legal allotment to a leaseholder. Later, he started objecting to the operation of the quarry and through some of his acquaintances in Jharkhand, contacted Maoist leader Anmol Hembram alias Samarjee. In the morning on May 27, the truck carrying around five tonne of blasting explosives was hijacked by 10-15 armed Maoists from near the stone quarry and taken inside Banko forest, just a couple of km from the Saranda forest in adjacent Jharkhand. The Maoists reportedly brought about 30-40 villagers from Jharkhand to carry the explosive packets. The DIG said after the loot of the explosives, police along with the security forces of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand launched a joint search operation in the dense Saranda forest. Subsequently, 3,811.30 kg of the looted explosives dumped in the vicinity of the Odisha-Jharkhand border were recovered. Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said the SIT launched a multi-faceted investigation comprising forensic analysis, telecom data scrutiny and interrogation of multiple stakeholders. The probe established that Munda met with Maoists multiple times and provided vital intelligence to help in the loot of explosives with clinical precision. He said the accused was produced in court under sections 191 (2), 191 (3), 140 (3), 310 (2), 61 (2) and 190 of BNS, sections 10, 13, 16 (B), 18 and 20 of UAP and section 25 of the Arms Act. Incidentally, Jharkhand-based assistant sub-inspector of 134 CRPF Battalion Satyavan Kumar Singh (34) was martyred in an IED explosion during a joint anti-Naxal operation in Silkuta forest near Banko on Saturday morning.

The New Indian Express 16 Jun 2025 9:55 am

2 tourists die in Kullu tree fall; 5 killed as pickup falls into gorge

In a tragic incident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, a mother and daughter from Ludhiana lost their lives when a Deodar tree fell on them near Kasol. Adding to the sorrow, five individuals from Punjab died in Mandi district after their speeding pickup truck plunged into a deep gorge, highlighting the dangers faced by travelers in the region.

The Times of India 2 Jun 2025 7:14 am

HP: Flash floods damage vehicles in Kullu; 'yellow' alert issued for 12 districts on May 27,28

Heavy rains triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district. Around 20 to 25 vehicles parked near Jagat Khana in Nirmand were damaged. The incident occurred on Saturday evening. No casualties were reported. Videos showed vehicles being swept away. The Satluj River's level rose. The meteorological center issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms in several districts.

The Economic Times 24 May 2025 10:48 pm

Water rises in Himachal's Pandoh dam; flash floods block Sansari-Thirot road in Lahaul-Spiti

SHIMLA: Authorities of Pandoh dam in Mandi district on Monday cautioned the general public and tourists not to venture to the banks of River Beas as spill gates could be opened anytime. Water levels in the dam is rising due to rain in surrounding areas and melting glaciers, they said. Himachal Pradesh saw isolated weather events at different areas in the state on Monday. Thunderstorms in the morning led to falling of trees in Sundernagar area in the district, causing inconvenience to school children and office-goers. Dark clouds overcast the sky in Mandi and Shimla. Thunderstorms also lashed Kangra, Palampur, Jot, Bhuntar, Kalpa, Mandi and Sundernagar, the local Met office said. Flash floods in Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti district have blocked the Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot road. The police have urged the public to avoid travelling on the road after its clearance was obstructed by rains. Parts of Himachal Pradesh received light rain since Sunday evening. Mandi received 16.4 mm rain, followed by Jot 15.8 mm, Kukumseri 13.2 mm, Kangra 12.4 mm, Bharmour 12 mm and Pandoh 10 mm. Kangra and Jot witnessed hailstorm. Gusty winds with a speed of 37-54 kilometres per hour hit Reckong Peo, Hamirpur, Tabo, Bilapsur, Kufri and Sundernagar. The local Met office has issued an orange warning for light to moderate rains accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds with a speed of 40-50 kilometres per hour at isolated places in Una and Shimla districts on Monday. It has also issued a yellow warning for light to moderate rains accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 30-40 kilometres per hour at isolated places in Bilapsur, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan and Sirmaur districts. Light rain was predicted in Shimla and adjoining areas.

The New Indian Express 19 May 2025 12:40 pm

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 .

Daily Excelsior 4 May 2025 6:02 pm

Planning to escape the heat in the hills? Himachal sizzle at 40C, with Shimla, Kullu, and Manali seeing above-normal temps

Himachal Pradesh, known as the 'snowy mountains,' is experiencing an unusual heat wave, prompting an alert across several districts. Temperatures in popular tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali have surged above normal, with Una exceeding 41C. The Meteorological Centre forecasts the heat wave to persist in Una, Kullu, and Mandi until April 30, with potential thunderstorms expected in early May.

The Economic Times 29 Apr 2025 12:33 pm

Himachal police on alert after receiving bomb threats to offices of Chief Secretary, Mandi Deputy Commissioner

CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh Police is on high alert after receiving a bomb threat to blow up the office of the Mandi Deputy Commissioner yesterday. A similar threat was also received at the office of the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, which is located in the secretariat building in Shimla, said sources. The email referred to his office mentioned that something is going to happen in Tamil Nadu, and the timing to execute the threat in Himachal Pradesh would be adjusted accordingly. Speaking about the bomb threat, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena, said, two threat mails were received on Wednesday, one at his office in Shimla and the other at the deputy commissioners (DC) office in Mandi. The origin of both the emails is being traced and if necessary, help would be sought from the central agencies to arrest the accused. Both offices were vacated and sanitised. While nothing suspicious has been found so far, the authorities have been put on high alert, he said. Saxena further said that security has been strengthened at both places. Similar threats were received by some schools and airlines in the recent past, but fortunately nothing untoward happened, he added. In Shimla, the state secretariat premises were immediately sanitised, and security measures have been significantly reinforced. Also, access to the secretariat is now restricted, and all people entering the secretariat building are being checked. While the employees at the DC office in Mandi were allowed to work today after security checks, an appeal has been made to the public not to visit the office premises unless they have some urgent work. Superintendent of Police of Mandi, Sakshi Verma, said the Deputy Commissioner's Office was cleared after teams from the bomb disposal squad, CISF, dog squad, and three police teams from Mandi, Kullu and Bilaspur thoroughly checked the premises. Sources said that the police and intelligence agencies are currently working to trace the origin of the threatening emails, which were reportedly sent from a Gmail account. In the meantime, security has been intensified at all major government buildings across the state.

The New Indian Express 17 Apr 2025 8:40 pm

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.

The New Indian Express 17 Apr 2025 7:30 pm

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.

News18 17 Apr 2025 10:22 am

6 Killed as Uprooted Tree Crushes Vehicles in Kullu

Four tourists among dead; several injured near Manikaran Sahib

Deccan Chronicle 31 Mar 2025 9:00 am

Six killed as tree falls on vehicles near Manikaran Gurdwara in Himachal

Medical teams, police and revenue officials are present at the spot and coordinating the rescue and relief operations, Kullu Sub Divisional Magistrate Vikas Shukla told reporters at the spot.

The Hindu 31 Mar 2025 3:41 am

Six dead, five injured after tree gets uprooted near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh

At least six people died and five were injured after a hollow tree was uprooted near the Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib parking area in Kullu on Sunday and fell on them.

DNA India 30 Mar 2025 9:13 pm

Six dead in Himachals Kullu as tree falls on them

The incident occurred on the road opposite to the Manikaran Sahib gurdwara in Kullu

The Hindu 30 Mar 2025 8:10 pm

Six killed, five injured in landslide in Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: Six people, including three women, were killed and five others injured after a landslide occurred due to a tree being uprooted by a storm near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. The incident happened in the evening when pedestrians near the edge of a road were struck by a large tree that fell along with debris from the landslide. Approximately 20 pedestrians and a number of parked vehicles were caught under the fallen tree. Among those killed were a roadside hawker, a car driver, and three tourists who were present at the location. The injured individuals were taken to Jari Hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that the tree fell directly in front of the gurdwara, causing the instant deaths of two street vendors, a driver, and three tourists. Kullu Additional District Magistrate Ashwani Kumar confirmed the casualties, stating, Six people died and five were injured after trees were uprooted near Manikaran Gurudwara parking in Kullu. Police and rescue teams of the district administration have shifted five injured to the local community hospital at Jari. A police team, led by the Manikaran Station House Officer (SHO), promptly arrived at the scene and is currently coordinating rescue and relief efforts. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the unfortunate incident, The CM directed the district administration to extend all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He has also instructed officers to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. The Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert earlier in the week for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in several districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu. Earlier this month, heavy rains and snowfall had already caused disruptions in the region, leading to landslides and road blockages.

The New Indian Express 30 Mar 2025 8:05 pm

6 Killed After Fierce Storm Causes Tree To Fall On Vehicles In Himachal's Kullu

A tree was brought down by a storm, which triggered a landslide, and fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu on Sunday.

News18 30 Mar 2025 6:31 pm

Video: Man Screams Chale Gaye After Trees Fall On Cars In Himachal's Kullu

Several trees fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu this evening, and at least two people were buried under the trees. A relief and rescue operation is underway.

NDTV 30 Mar 2025 5:54 pm

Delhi tourists remove shirts and do push-ups inside the Atal Tunnel; police fine them only 1,500: Watch viral video

Tourists from Delhi were fined by the Kullu police for causing disturbance inside the Atal Tunnel on March 23. They were seen stepping out of their vehicle, removing their shirts, and dancing to loud music. The vehicle was fined Rs 1,500 for breaking traffic rules, and increased patrolling has been ordered.

The Economic Times 26 Mar 2025 5:02 pm

Shocking Video Exposes Bus Driver, Conductor Injecting Heroin In Himachal Pradesh's Kullu

The duo, aged 24 and 27, hailing from Khokhan and Shamsi in Bhuntar, were taken to the police station where their medical samples were collected for testing.

News18 21 Mar 2025 2:39 pm

Yellow alert for heavy rain, snow in Himachal on Friday: IMD

A 'yellow' alert has been issued in Himachal Pradesh for heavy rain and snow, with light rain and snowfall already occurring in some areas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts, and heavy snow in Lahaul and Spiti district on Friday. Rain and snow are likely in various regions from March 11 to 17.

The Economic Times 11 Mar 2025 8:03 pm

IMD Issues Orange Alert for Heavy Rain and Snow in Himachal Today

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain and snowfall in some parts of Himachal Pradesh on March 3. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in certain areas. Even though the weather was dry on Sunday and temperatures increased, the alert has been issued due to the effects of recent heavy snowfall and rain on February 26, 27, and 28. The warning is mainly for Chamba, Kangra, and Lahaul-Spiti districts. Road Closures and Disruptions Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that repair work is in full swing, but 365 roads (including 3 national highways) are still blocked. Furthermore, 1,377 power transformers and 269 water supply schemes have been affected. The Revenue Minister also said that some avalanches occurred, but thankfully, there were no casualties or property damage. However, a man named Sant Ram fell into Jodh Nallah near Saach in the tribal Pangi Valley. Local people rescued him and helped him reach Saach. A government helicopter then airlifted him to Kullu, where he was admitted to the hospital. Rainfall and Temperature Update Some areas received light rain: Aghar 17 mm Pachhad 15 mm Jaton Barrage 3.4 mm Kufri 3.2 mm Chamba 2 mm The rest of the state had dry weather, and Una was the hottest place, recording 28.4C, which is 2.3C above normal. The coldest place was Keylong, with a low temperature of -11.8C. Weather Forecast The IMD predicts: March 3 Light to moderate rain or snow in some places. March 4 Moderate rain or snow in many areas. March 5-8 Dry weather expected. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir will also experience different weather patterns over the next seven days, with changes in temperature, humidity, and sky conditions. The IMD advises people to keep track of forecasts for better planning.

News Track 3 Mar 2025 10:10 am

Snowfall triggers landslides in HP as parts of north get rain; 4 dead 5 still missing in Uttarakhand avalanche

NEW DELHI: Heavy rains and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh triggered landslides and caused roadblocks on Saturday, disrupting normal life in the state, as several other parts of north India received showers. In Uttarakhand, 50 workers trapped in an avalanche in the Chamoli district were rescued, but four of them died on Saturday as rescuers raced against time to save the remaining five. The strategic 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was shut on Thursday evening following heavy snowfall and multiple landslides in the Ramban district, was reopened for light motor vehicles after the weather improved, and road restoration work was carried out. Parts of Delhi, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh received showers on Saturday. A day after an avalanche buried 55 labourers alive at a BRO camp in Mana village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, 50 of them were pulled out of the snow, but four of them died. The search is on for the remaining five. The avalanche hit the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath between 5.30 am and 6 am on Friday, according to the Army. Thirty-three of them were rescued by Friday night. Rain and snowfall hampered the rescue efforts on Friday, and the operation was suspended as the night fell. As the weather cleared up on Saturday morning, the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel based in Mana resumed the rescue operation, District Disaster Management Officer N K Joshi said. Six helicopters, including three of the Indian Army Aviation, two of the IAF and one civil copter hired by the Army, are engaged in the rescue operations, an Army spokesperson said. Located three kilometres from Badrinath, Mana is the last village on the India-Tibet border at a height of 3,200 metres. Uttarakhand avalanche: Four laborers succumb to injuries, five still missing In neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains and snowfall disrupted normal life in several parts of the state, triggering landslides, blocking roads and huge mounds of debris swept by gushing waters damaging vehicles in Kullu. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains and cloudbursts at Rokaru in the Kangra district damaged several vehicles and endangered 12 houses. The affected families have been relocated to safer places, and restoration work is in progress, said Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj. One person was reported missing near the Shiva Hydropower project in Palampur, and a search operation has been launched to trace him, officials said. Tribal Pangi valley in Chamba was cut off following heavy snowfall, and electricity and telecommunication services have been disrupted. A landslide at Tohlu nullah blocked the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, leaving tourists stranded. A total of 112 roads were closed in Kullu, and work is in progress to power 1,646 transformers. The Kullu-Manali Road was also closed, and traffic was being diverted via Naggar while the electricity supply was yet to be restored in Manikaran and Manali, officials said. Meanwhile, the state received moderate to heavy snowfall and rain during the past 24 hours. In Jammu and Kashmir, the restoration of the 66-km Banihal-Nashri stretch on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was intensified on Saturday morning after the weather conditions improved. Heavy rains had triggered shooting stones, mudslides and landslides at a dozen places, including Kishtwari Pather, Moum Passi, Hingni, Panthiyal, Mehar and Dalwas, while snowfall between Qazigund and Ramsu left the road slippery. A side of the road near Mehar has caved in, while a major landslide has blocked one tube of the Kunfer-Peerah tunnel. The road repair was hampered by continuous rains on Friday, officials said. Ramban deputy commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary said there are at least 16 locations along the 66-km road stretch that were rendered vulnerable by the rains. The national capital saw light rain on Saturday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 16.6 degrees Celsius, 4.1 notches above the seasonal average. Delhi recorded 2 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am on Saturday. Rainfall measurements at various weather stations included 1.8 mm at Safdarjung, 1.0 mm at Palam, and 4 mm at Pitampura. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in parts of Rajasthan on Saturday, where a maximum of 28 mm rainfall was recorded in Churu, followed by 18 mm in Chirawa (Jhunjhunu), the weather department said.

The New Indian Express 1 Mar 2025 7:42 pm

Heavy rains, snowfall triggers landslides in Himachal, 112 roads blocked in Kullu

Heavy rains and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh caused significant disruption, including landslides and roadblocks, particularly in Kullu, Kangra, and Chamba districts. Several houses and vehicles were damaged, and essential services like electricity and water supply were affected. Efforts are ongoing to clear the debris and restore normalcy.

The Economic Times 1 Mar 2025 1:46 pm

Heavy snowfall, rains trigger landslides in Himachal Pradesh, key roads blocked

Shimla, Feb 28: Heavy snowfall and rains in Himachal Pradesh triggered landslides and blocked key roads and national highways on Friday, throwing normal life out of gear in many areas. Intermittent heavy snowfall and rains for the third day have blocked highways. About 200 roads have been closed due to heavy snowfall across the state, cutting off several areas in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Shimla districts from the rest of the state, officials said. Officials said all [] The post Heavy snowfall, rains trigger landslides in Himachal Pradesh, key roads blocked appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 28 Feb 2025 4:34 pm

Heavy Rains, Snowfall Cause Chaos in Himachal, Roads Blocked, Vehicles Swept Away

KULLU - HIMACHAL PRADESH: Heavy rains and snowfall have caused major problems in Himachal Pradesh, leading to landslides and road closures. Many highways and key roads were blocked on Friday, making it difficult for people to travel. For the third day in a row, the state has been experiencing heavy rain and snowfall, affecting normal life. Around 200 roads have been shut down, cutting off areas like Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, and Shimla from the rest of the state, officials said. Due to the bad weather, all schools and colleges have been closed in Chamba and Manali. However, CBSE board exams will still take place as planned. Authorities have also warned people about possible avalanches in higher regions above 2,300 meters and advised them to stay indoors and take precautions. Many major roads are blocked due to snow. The Hindustan-Tibet road (NH-5) is closed at Narkanda, while roads connecting Dodra-Kwar and Deha-Chopal are also not accessible. The Theog-Hatkoti Highway near Kharapathar village, which is at an altitude of 8,770 feet, has also been shut down. In Kullu, heavy rains have flooded areas like Akhara Bazaar and Gandhi Nagar. Water from overflowing rivers entered the streets, damaging parked vehicles. Authorities have stopped vehicle movement beyond Nehru Kund because of fresh snowfall in places like Solang Nallah, Gulaba, Atal Tunnel, and Rohtang. A landslide at Banala has also blocked the Manali-Kiratpur National Highway, and work to clear it has been delayed due to falling rocks, police said. Many roads in remote valleys remain blocked due to snowfall and continuous rainfall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by News Track Live (@newstracklive) According to weather reports, Kothi received the highest snowfall of 120 cm by 8:30 am, followed by Khadrala (115 cm), Keylong (75 cm), Kalpa (46 cm), Kukumseri (38.8 cm), Sangla (23.5 cm), and both Nichar and Moorang (15 cm each). Lower and mid-hill areas are also facing problems due to heavy rains. Seobagh recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 113.2 mm, followed by Bhuntar (113.2 mm), Banjar (112.4 mm), Jogindernagar (112 mm), Salooni (109.3 mm), Palampur (99 mm), Chamba (97 mm), Baijnath (75 mm), Kangra (74 mm), Rohroo (70 mm), Kufri (59 mm), and Shimla (54.5 mm). The sky remains dark and cloudy, and the meteorological department has issued an orange alert for heavy snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and higher areas of Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts. Light to moderate rain is expected, with heavy rainfall at some isolated places in Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts.

News Track 28 Feb 2025 4:10 pm

Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rains, flash floods wreak havoc in Kullu, several vehicles washed away, WATCH viral video

About 200 roads have been closed due to heavy snowfall across the state, cutting off several areas in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Shimla districts from the rest of the state

DNA India 28 Feb 2025 3:07 pm

Heavy snowfall disrupts roads, power supply in Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh has been severely impacted by heavy snowfall and widespread rainfall, leading to the closure of more than 200 roads and disruptions in power and water supply. Several areas, particularly in the districts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Chamba, have been cut off from the rest of the state. The weather conditions have also forced the closure of educational institutions in Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba districts. Due to heavy snowfall, several key routes, including Darcha-Shinkula, Darcha-Sarchu, Koksar-Manali via Rohtang, Koksar to Losar via Kunzum, and Atal Tunnel to Manali, Tindi, and Udaipur roads, have been blocked. Authorities have advised travelers to avoid these routes for safety reasons. An avalanche alert has been issued, and the general public is urged to refrain from visiting high-altitude areas prone to avalanches. The police in Lahaul and Spiti stated, The general public is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting high-altitude areas prone to avalanches. In the Dodra-Kwar region of Shimla district, heavy snowfall continues, shutting down all roads leading to the valley. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange warning for Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and areas above 2,300 meters, warning of an increased risk of avalanches in higher-altitude regions. The precipitation is expected to continue with the same intensity throughout the day. Meanwhile, panic spread among residents of Manikaran Valley in the Kullu district following the formation of an artificial lake in Jeera Nallah in Tosh village, which has created a flash flood threat. Authorities have evacuated people living downstream to safer locations. The state also remains on high alert for avalanches following fresh snowfall in the region. In Shimla district, 12 roads have been closed due to the harsh weather. The Hindustan-Tibet Road (National Highway 5) has been shut down near Narkanda due to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall. As a result, traffic has been diverted from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri and Sunni. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for light to moderate snowfall at most places, with isolated spells of very heavy snowfall expected in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, as well as in the higher reaches of Chamba, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Manali. Since last night, continuous rainfall has been recorded in Shimla. A yellow alert has been issued for more rain and light snowfall in the city and surrounding areas. However, educational institutions in the state capital have remained open. Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest temperature at night, dropping to minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, while Nahan was the warmest during the day with a high of 23.2 degrees Celsius.

The New Indian Express 28 Feb 2025 12:54 pm

Orange warning issued for heavy snow, rains in parts of Himachal

The local MeT has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rains and snow at isolated places in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu and Chamba districts

The Hindu 27 Feb 2025 1:46 pm