From 'Kulant Peeth' to 'Kullu': How The Himachal Holiday Town Got Its Name
In ancient times, the valley now known as Kullu was referred to as 'Kulant Peeth' or 'Kulanth Peeth'.
Untold Caste Tales: Indian SC Chamar Lives Amid Devta Customs With Special Reference Through Mandi, Kullu, Shimla And Kangra Regions Of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal moves SC after HC quashes appointment of 6 parliamentary secretaries
NEW DELHI: The Himachal Pradesh government has moved the Supreme Court seeking authorisation of the appointment of six parliamentary secretaries which was recently quashed by the high court for being illegal and unconstitutional. The Himachal Pradesh High Court had on November 13 quashed the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government and declared the law under which they were appointed void. In its appeal before the top court, the state government said the high court order was bad in law and sought a stay on the HC direction. The legal consequence would be that six parliamentary secretaries, who are also MLAs, are likely to face disqualification under Article 192 of the Constitution as the protection granted to them from the office of profit norms has been taken away, without adjudication, causing political instability, the appeal said. Sukhu had appointed the six chief parliamentary secretaries Sanjay Awasthi, the MLA from Arki constituency, Sunder Singh from Kullu, Ram Kumar from Doon, Mohan Lal Barakta from Rohru, Ashish Butail from Palampur and Kishori Lal from Baijnath on January 8, 2023 ahead of his cabinet expansion. While quashing the appointment, the high court had directed that all the facilities and privileges of the six chief parliamentary secretaries be withdrawn with immediate effect. The high court had declared the Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances, Powers, Privileges and Amenities) Act, 2006 as void. Pronouncing the verdict, the HC had said the officials are usurpers of public office and all facilities extended to them be withdrawn with immediate effect.
Chef Nitika Kuthiala brings authentic Himachali cuisine to Hyderabad
Golkonda Pavilion at ITC Kohenur is hosting a Himachali popup, showcasing the heritage flavours of the region. Chef Nitika Kuthiala, the brain behind the delectable spread, shared her passion for authentic Himachali cuisine, saying, I want to present it as such, without fusion or modifications. This commitment to authenticity was evident in every dish, carefully crafted to transport taste buds to the picturesque valleys of Himachal Pradesh. The chef is showcasing what is called dham food, which simply means daawat in common parlance which is usually a mid-day meal served during any big occasion. While Dham food is pure vegetarian, the chef added a few non veg specialties too to allow guests to get more from the food fest. ITC Kohenur's Chef Amar Jamaal aptly described the significance of this cuisine, Dham food is ceremonial, a mid-day feast that brings people together. He emphasized, It's not just about the food; it's about community dining, get-togethers, and sitting down together. This sentiment was palpable as guests savoured each dish, immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Himachal. The journey began with Kulthe ka Sorua, a hearty horse gram soup, reminiscent of mutton broth. Chef Nitika revealed, Horse gram is of different varieties; this one is a mix of black and red. This attention to detail was characteristic of every dish, showcasing the diversity of Himachali ingredients. I heard my food companions raving about the Macchi Ka Pakora, freshwater fish fritters. Chef Nitika shared, In Himachal, we have River Fish, Trout, Kullu, and Rohu. Paired with a refreshing Mooli (radish) salad, made with grated radish, salt, carom seeds, and lemon, this snack embodied the simplicity and elegance of Himachali cuisine. Button mushrooms, a specialty of Solan, dubbed the City of Mushrooms, were crafted into an irresistible Solani Khumb appetizer. Chef Nitika noted, Solan is famous for mushrooms; we have a variety of them. The earthy flavour of these mushrooms complemented the subtle spices, leaving guests yearning for more. The main course, an elaborate Dham spread, featured Aloo Channa Madra (potato and chickpea curry), Sepu Badi Madra (special spinach gravy), Tailey maah (Urad Dal with dry fruits), and Kaddu ka ambal (pumpkin in sweet and sour gravy). Each dish reflected the region's love for lentil-based and curd-gravy-based cuisine. Chef highlighted, Dham food doesn't include garlic, onion, or heavy spices; it's pure, vegetarian. This emphasis on simplicity allowed each ingredient to shine, demonstrating the harmony between flavours and textures. The festival also showcased non-vegetarian options, like Rara Meat (slow-cooked mutton) and Chicken wale Peele Chawal (chicken with saffron rice). These dishes, although not part of traditional Dham food, reflected the diversity of Himachali cuisine. In the entire Himachali thali, Chef Nitika's love for her native cuisine stood out. She shared, We don't have a concept of snacking in Himachal; these dishes are usually made for special occasions. Her dedication to preserving traditional recipes and techniques ensured an authentic experience for all. Those who still have an appetite could gorge on sweet treats like Budana Meetha (a unique sweet preparation from Kangra Valley) and Meethe Chawal, they carried with them a newfound appreciation for Himachali cuisine. In a world where fusion and experimentation often dominate culinary landscapes, this festival seems like an honest attempt to showcase authentic flavours. In Chef Nitika's thali presentation was a truly immersive experience, transporting attendees to the heart of Himachal Pradesh, where tradition, community, and cuisine intertwine. The Himachali food festival is on at Golkonda Pavilion in ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad from November 15 to 24.
HC nixes appointment of 6 chief parliamentary secretaries
CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday set aside the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS), declaring it unconstitutional and ordered their immediate removal along with the associated benefits and perks. Two petitions a PIL by Kalpana Devi and another by 11 BJP MLAs had been filed challenging the appointments. A division bench of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin Chander gave its verdict and set aside the Act under which the appointment of the CPS had been made. Terming the appointments wastage of public funds the bench ordered immediate withdrawal of all facilities extended to them. The office created by the impugned Act, in fact, performs functions ancillary to and incidental to those of the political executive. In fact, what is prohibited and limited directly by Article 164(1-A) of the Constitution has been sought to be done indirectly by the state legislature. If there is a constitutional provision inhibiting the constitutional authority from doing an act, such provision cannot be allowed to be defeated by adoption of any subterfuge, said the HC in its 33-page order. It ruled, Evidently, the distinction attempted to be portrayed between Chief Parliamentary Secretary/Parliamentary Secretary and Minister is artificial. The six CPS whose appointment has been ordered are Kishori Lal, MLA from Baijnath in Kangra; Mohan Lal Brakta, MLA from Rampur in Shimla; Ram Kumar, MLA from Doon in Solan; Ashish Butail, MLA from Palampur; Sunder Thakur, MLA from Kullu and Sanjay Awashty, Arki MLA.
Museum of Gods in Kullu Now Open To Public; Which Days Can You Visit?
The Dev Museum showcases not only local musical instruments but also artifacts from Kullu's rich cultural heritage, including ancient books written in the unique Tankari script
Belgian paraglider killed after mid-air collision in Himachal Pradesh
SHIMLA: A Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Bir-Billing while they were practising for the upcoming Paragliding World Cup 2024 in the Himachal Pradesh town, police said on Wednesday. The accident took place on Tuesday when the two paragliders took off separately. Feyarets' body has been spotted but is yet to be recovered from the forest. The other paraglider, who suffered injuries and has been taken to hospital, got entangled in the trees and was rescued. His nationality is yet to be ascertained, police officials said. Feyarets, known only by one name, was a free flying paraglider in his mid-sixties, they said. This is not the first time tragedy has struck the famed slopes of Bir-Billing. Tourist from Hyderabad killed in paragliding accident in Himachal's Kullu, pilot arrested In October last year, Polish paraglider Andrez died during a solo flight from Bir-Billing. Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri said police has directed authorities to register paragliders, adhere to designated routes and ensure they don't fly over military areas. A proposal to install special towers in high mountains to pinpoint the crash sites in case of accidents is in the pipeline, said Avinash Negi, director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) in Manali. The November 2-9 World Cup will see participation from 130 paragliders from 50 countries.
Rise in human-wildlife conflicts in HP as black bear, leopard populations thrive: Wildlife census
CHANDIGARH: Human-wildlife conflicts are increasing in Himachal Pradesh, with Asiatic black bears and leopards being major contributors, according to the recent wildlife census titled Population Estimation and Assessment of Human-Wildlife Conflict released by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The report highlights that these animals, whose primary prey consists of sheep, goats, cattle, and occasionally dogs, are increasingly coming into conflict with humans, particularly in the districts of Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, and parts of Sirmaur. The census identified approximately 529 black bears and 510 leopards across the state, with 307 bears and 333 leopards being individually recorded. The study reveals that leopards are responsible for conflicts in 30.85% of the affected areas, while black bears account for 18.65%. Among the attacks, 83.79% target sheep and goats, followed by cattle at 13.20%, and horses at 4.75%. Leopards also occasionally prey on dogs, with 3.40% of such incidents reported, though there are no records of dog predation by black bears. The report states, The human settlements constructed in isolated areas near forests are a key factor behind attacks, highlighting that the growth of human population around protected areas, encroachment, and increasing reliance on forests are significant contributors to these conflicts. Seasonal variations also influence conflict patterns. Leopards predominantly attack livestock during spring (highest in Bilaspur at 32.6%), with fewer incidents in autumn (14.2%). Bear attacks are most frequent in summer in Chamba (31.55%), followed closely by autumn (31.18%). According to the census, Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kullu report the highest number of bear attacks, while leopard attacks are most common in Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Una, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Kangra. In terms of bear populations, Kinnaur has the highest number with 90 bears, followed by Kullu (76), Shimla (71), Chamba (32), Kangra and Mandi (15 each), and five bears in both Sirmaur and Solan. Only one bear each was recorded in Lahaul and Spiti. For leopards, Shimla leads with 58, followed by Solan (56), Mandi (50), Sirmaur (48), and Kinnaur (44). Lower numbers were recorded in Bilaspur and Kangra (13 each), Chamba (5), and Hamirpur (4). The ZSI report further suggests that educating local communities on wildlife conservation is crucial, especially in conflict-prone districts such as Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur, where 1,298 residents surveyed cited leopards as the primary threat to their livestock.
Proposal in works to install special towers in high mountains to spot crash sites: ABVIMAS director
A plan is in place to install special towers in high mountains to locate paragliding crash sites. This follows the rescue of three foreign paragliders in Kullu district. The towers aim to improve safety for adventure sports enthusiasts. The proposal comes ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 in Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh.
New snake species discovered in Himalayas, Named After Leonardo DiCaprio
A team of researchers discovered a new snake species in the western Himalayas which has been named after famous Hollywood actor and Producer, Leonardo DiCaprio for his contribution to the conservation. The species has been named Anguiculus dicaprioi or DiCaprios Himalayan snake. It was discovered by researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom while searching the lesser-known species of India's reptiles during their project in 2020. Their study of the new species was published on Monday in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed journal. The new species was classified by the researchers under a new genus called Anguiculus, which means small snake in Latin. The study explained, The specific epithet dicaprioi is a patronym honouring Leonardo DiCaprio, an American actor, film producer, and environmentalist who has been actively involved in creating awareness about global climate change, increased biodiversity loss, and human health issues through pollution. The study also said, In addition to this, he has made funds available for field conservation activities and research. Suggested common name DiCaprios Himalayan snake. The researchers were visiting the mountainous regions in the western Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh for their ongoing project when they found a few brown-coloured snakes in the mud road. The study further mentioned, The individuals were seen basking and remained motionless until caught and made no attempts to bite. The study of these snakes, their DNA analysis, and their comparison with other snakes led to the discovery of new species. HT Lalremsanga, a professor in the Department of Zoology at Mizoram University, and a member of the team of researchers, said, Besides being found in areas of Himachal Pradesh like Chamba and Kullu, the new species has also been found in Nainital in Uttarakhand and Chitwan National Park in Nepal. The other researchers of the team are Zeeshan A Mirza, Patrick D Campbell, Harshil Patel, Gernot Vogel, Saunak Pal, and Virender K Bhardwaj. The study describes the new species as small-sized, reaching about 22 inches in length. It features a road collar with small dark brown spots, a obust skull, and a steeply domed snout. This species is found at heights of approximately 6,000 feet above sea level.
CM Sukhu invites global investors to invest in Himachal at Kullu Dussehra ambassadors meet
SHIMLA, Oct 18 : Underscoring the prominence of Kullu district on the global tourism map because of its picturesque landscapes and serene valleys, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said his government is committed to promote tourism throughout the state. Presiding over an ambassadors meet held on the sidelines of the International Dussehra Festival in Kullu, Sukhu also invited the global investors to invest in Himachal Pradesh. Ambassadors from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Brunei along with representatives from [] The post CM Sukhu invites global investors to invest in Himachal at Kullu Dussehra ambassadors meet appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Earthquake of Magnitude 3.0 Hits Shimla; No Damage Reported
Shimla: On Saturday afternoon, earthquake tremors were felt in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake measured 3.0 on the Richter scale. The tremors were recorded at 3:32 pm IST, with the epicenter located at 31.21 north latitude and 77.87 east longitude, at a depth of 5 kilometers. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any casualties or damage to property. Following the tremors, residents came out of their homes in response. Himachal Pradesh is situated in seismic zones 4 and 5, which are known for being highly sensitive areas in terms of earthquakes. Specifically, the districts of Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, Lahaul, and Mandi fall under the very sensitive seismic regions of the state.Media reports highlight that the Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh is particularly high-risk for seismic activity. In 1904, the region experienced a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, resulting in over 20,000 deaths. Over the past century, more than 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or higher have occurred in the Chamba region. India is divided into four seismic zonesZone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, and Zone 5with Zone 5 being the most sensitive to earthquakes. Globally, on the same day, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 was recorded in Tajikistan. This earthquakes epicenter was located at 38.30 latitude and 73.14 longitude at a depth of 111 kilometers. PWD Issues Offer Letter for CM House to Atishi, Sets 8-Day Deadline for Acceptance BJP Prepares for Uttar Pradesh By-Elections: Key Leaders to Meet Amit Shah and JP Nadda Sanjay Raut Denounces IAF C-295 Landing at Mumbai Airport as 'Election Stuntbaazi'
Opinion: Opinion | Remembering Nicholas Roerich, The Russian Who Made Kullu His Home
Nicholas Roerich, who was born on this day 150 years ago, was first and foremost an Indophile, someone who perhaps can be said to have laid the foundation of Indo-Russian friendship.
Now protesters demand demolition of Kullu mosque
Hindu outfits that took out a march in Kullu demanding the demolition of the mosque were involved in a scuffle with the police on Monday.
Several roads closed in Himachal Pradesh as rain continues
The highest number of 10 roads were closed in Kangra, seven each in Mandi and Sirmaur, two in Kullu and one in Shimla district
In Himachal Pradeshs Kullu, the illegal mosque that has triggered outrage among the Hindu community is located on Shriram Street of Akhara Bazaar
156 roads, one NH closed in HP as rain continues to lash parts of state
A total of 156 roads including National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) were closed for vehicular movement in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday morning as rain continues to lash parts of the state, officials said. Moderate rain continued in some parts of the state with Katula logging the highest rainfall of 78.5 mm, since Friday evening, the meteorological department said. During this period Palampur recorded 68 mm rainfall, followed by 60 mm in Baijnath, 58.4 mm in Mandi, 56.4 mm in Guler, 53 mm in Dharamshala, 51.4 mm in Kufri, 50 mm in Shimla and Jogindernagar each, 48.6 mm in Naina Devi, 46.6 mm in Kangra, 46 mm in Nagrota Suriyanas, it said. The National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) was closed at Malling Nallah in Kinnaur district following landslide and falling of shooting stones. A maximum of 94 roads are closed in Shimla, 46 in Mandi, ten in Kangra, three in Kullu and one each in Bilapsur, Kinnaur and Sirmaur districts due to rains, landslide and flash floods as per the Sta
IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall in some Himachal Pradesh districts
Additionally, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Solan districts are expected to receive light rainfall for the next two to three hours
Heavy rain over last few days lead to closure of over 60 roads in Himachal
Over 60 roads have been blocked in Himachal Pradesh following rains in the past days, officials said on Monday. A maximum of 30 roads were closed in Shimla, 16 in Mandi, 10 in Kangra, two in Kullu and one each in Kinnaur, Una, Sirmaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts, the state emergency operation centre (SEOC) said. As many as 17 power schemes are also disrupted in the state, the SEOC said. Light rains lashed few parts of the state since Sunday evening. Kasauli was the wettest, recording 25 mm of rain followed by 18.6 mm in Shimla, 16 mm in Jubbarhatti, 12.3 mm in Kufri, 12.2 mm in Naina Devi, 8.4 mm in Solan, 5.2 mm in Berthin and 5 mm in Dalhousie. Himachal Pradesh's rainfall deficit since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 stands at 21 per cent, with the state receiving 524.1 mm rainfall against an average of 663.9 mm. A total of 158 people have died in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season from June 27 till September 7, while 30 are still missing.
Himachal Pradesh Faces Major Road Closures Due to Monsoon Rains
Shimla: Officials reported on Sunday that over 60 roads in Himachal Pradesh have been blocked due to heavy rains. The highest number of road closures occurred in Mandi with 31 roads blocked, followed by Shimla with 13, Kangra with 10, Kinnaur with four, and Kullu, Una, Sirmaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts with one road each. National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet road) remains obstructed near Negulsari in Kinnaur district. Additionally, 11 power schemes and one water supply scheme have been disrupted across the state. Moderate rainfall has affected various parts of Himachal Pradesh since Saturday evening, with Una receiving the highest rainfall at 48 mm, followed by Kufri with 19.8 mm, and other areas including Sangla, Jubbarhatti, and Mandi experiencing significant rainfall. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 27, Himachal Pradesh has recorded a 21 percent rainfall deficit, receiving 522.2 mm against the average of 657.9 mm. The ongoing monsoon season has resulted in 158 fatalities and 30 people still missing, with damages estimated at Rs 1,305 crore. NSA Ajit Doval to Visit Moscow for Peace Talks and BRICS-NSA Meeting MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Outlines Development Plans for Indore and Other Key Cities Tensions Rise in Lohardaga as Ganesh Pooja Committee Members Attacked
Over 60 roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rains today
Over 60 roads have been blocked in Himachal Pradesh following rains, officials said on Sunday. A maximum of 31 roads were closed in Mandi, 13 in Shimla and Mandi, 10 in Kangra, four in Kinnaur, two in Kullu and one each in Una, Sirmaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts, the state emergency operation centre (SEOC) said. National Highway 5 (the Hindustan-Tibet road) is blocked near Negulsari in Kinnaur district. As many as 11 power and one water supply scheme are also disrupted in the state, the SEOC said. Moderate rains lashed parts of the state since Saturday evening. Una was the wettest, recording 48 mm of rain followed by Kufri 19.8 mm, Sangla 17.2 mm, Jubbarhatti 15.6 mm, Mandi 15.6 mm, Nichar 14.8 mm, Bijahi 14 mm, Kalpa 8.1, Berthin 7 mm, Dehra Gopipur 6.3 mm and Dalhousie 5 mm. Himachal Pradesh's rainfall deficit since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 stands at 21 per cent, with the state receiving 522.2 mm rainfall against an average of 657.9 mm. A total of 158 peo
Met office warns of low flash flood risk in 5 districts of Himachal, 40 roads closed
A total of 40 roads including 16 in Mandi, 10 in Kangra, nine in Shimla, two in Kullu and one each in Sirmaur, Una and Lahaul and Spiti districts are closed for vehicular traffic as per the state emergency operation centre
14 hydropower projects damaged by flash floods in Himachal since July 25
At least 14 hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh have suffered damage due to flash floods since July 25, with some being affected multiple times over the past 10 years, according to a new analysis. As damage to hydroelectric projects from flash floods and cloudbursts becomes a recurring issue -- impacting both communities and power generation -- experts are calling for disaster risk analyses to be conducted before such projects are undertaken. They also recommend the preparation of robust disaster management plans, and the installation of early warning systems and flood forecast stations. According to the analysis by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP), two hydroelectric projects (HEPs) suffered significant damage due to a cloudburst-induced flash flood in the Palchan area of Kullu district on the intervening night of July 25-26. Both HEPs -- the 2-megawatt Pinnacle HEP on the Serai river and the 9-MW Beas Kund HEP on the Beas river -- are owned and
Himachal incurs Rs 1,195 cr losses since monsoon onset, 55 roads shut
As many as 55 roads are blocked in Himachal Pradesh due to landslides and floods triggered by the ongoing rains and the state has incurred losses of Rs 1,195 crore since the monsoon onset this year, official data released on Wednesday showed. As many as 139 people have died so far this monsoon season in rain-related incidents. Fourteen roads are closed in Mandi, 13 in Shimla, 12 in Kangra, 11 in Kullu, two in Kinnaur and each in Bilaspur, Una and Sirmaur districts, according to the state emergency operation centre. The rains also disrupted 29 water and 14 power schemes in the state, as of Wednesday, the centre said. Meanwhile, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Wednesday urged the residents here, especially students, office-goers and patients visiting hospitals for treatment, to keep a half-hour margin while travelling. The traffic problem in the state capital is worsening due to the limited number of roads, with landslides further exacerbating the situation, leading to
Drug syndicate busted; 2 arrested, charas worth Rs 9 lakh seized in Goa
Panaji: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a drug syndicate with the arrest of two men in Goa following the seizure of charas worth Rs 9 lakh, officials said on Wednesday. Both the accused are natives of Kerala and they had sourced the drugs from Himachal Pradesh, they said. One of the accused was nabbed on August 19 at Thivim railway station in North Goa, the NCB and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) said in a release. The man was identified as TKT. During his search, 883.64 grams of charas worth Rs 9 lakh was seized. During his interrogation, the accused told the investigators that he worked for a charas trafficking network being operated by a few Keralites in North Goa who used to procure the drugs from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh regularly, it said. Based on information shared by him, the NCB arrested the main handler, identified as I B, from Keri Beach in North Goa on the same day, the anti-drug agency said. Efforts were on to identify and apprehend other members of this drug syndicate, it added.
Protest over Kolkata trainee doctor murder
Kolkata: Doctors stage a protest over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, outside Central Government Offices (CGO) complex, in Kolkata, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Kullu: ABVP activists stage a protest against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkatas R G Kar 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 .
Himachal Faces Continued Heavy Rains, Yellow Alert Issued For Isolated Areas
The MeT warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts till Wednesday.
Himachal rains: 146 roads blocked, Met sounds yellow alert
SHIMLA: Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of the Himachal Pradesh on Monday, shutting 146 roads for vehicular movement and disrupting 310 power schemes, officials said. The Shimla Meteorological Department has sounded a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain in isolated parts of the state till Wednesday and cautioned of the possibility of damage to plantations, crops, vulnerable structures and kutcha houses. The state emergency operation centre said 48 roads were blocked in Shimla, 43 in Mandi, 33 in Kullu, 10 in Kangra, five in Solan, three in Sirmaur, two in Kinnaur, one each in Una and Bilaspur district, on Monday morning following heavy rainfall. The rains also disrupted 301 power and 20 water supply schemes in the state, the centre said. According to the rainfall data from Sunday evening till Monday 9 am, Naina Devi was the wettest in the state with 142.6 mm rainfall, followed by 120 mm in Baijnath, 78.4 mm in Guler, 60.4 mm in Ghaghas, 60.2 mm in Bilaspur, 57 mm in Jogindernagar, 50.4 mm in Bharari, 47 mm in Palampur, 44 mm in Kangra and 42.6 mm in Dharamshala. Officials said 122 people were killed in rain-related incidents and the state suffered losses of about Rs 1,140 crore between June 27 and August 17.
31 killed in 51 events of cloudburst, flash flood in Himachal Pradesh since onset of monsoon
SHIMLA: Thirty-one people were killed in 51 events of cloudburst and flash flood between June 27 and August 16 in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. The monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 27. Thirty-one people were killed and 33 went missing in 51 incidents of cloudburst and flash flood between June 27 and August 16 in Himachal Pradesh, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. Lahaul and Spiti witnessed 22 such incidents, the highest in the state, followed by 11 in Kinnaur, six in Una, three each in Kullu and Mandi, two in Sirmaur and one each in Chamba, Hamirpur, Shimla and Solan districts, it said. According to the data, 121 houses were completely or partially damaged. Three people were killed in 35 landslides during the same period, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. At nine, Mandi reported the highest number of landslides. Kinnaur and Shimla reported six landslides each, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba four each, Solan three, Kullu two and Bilaspur one, it said. The data for other districts was not available. However, residents in several districts have claimed that the number of incidents of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides is much higher than the official count. Meanwhile, light rains continued in parts of the state and 95 roads were closed on Sunday morning, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. It said 33 roads were closed in Kullu, 23 each in Mandi and Shimla, 10 in Kangra, two each in Chamba and Kinnaur, and one each in Hamirpur and Una. As many as 47 power and 35 water supply schemes have also been affected, it said. According to officials, Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,140 crore so far, with the maximum damage done to the road infrastructure. The Public Works Department has suffered losses of Rs 502 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department (Rs 469 crore) and the Horticulture Department (Rs 139 crore). The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rains in isolated places in the state till August 21.
Himachal Pradesh: 31 Killed In 51 Events Of Cloudburst, Flash Floods Since Onset Of Monsoon
Lahaul and Spiti witnessed 22 such incidents, the highest in the state, followed by 11 in Kinnaur, six in Una, three each in Kullu and Mandi, two in Sirmaur and one each in Chamba, Hamirpur, Shimla and Solan districts, it said.
Suspicious Death of Woman in Manali Sparks Outrage, Calls for CBI Inquiry
The death of a 22-year-old woman from Khakhnal village has brought the Kullu police under scrutiny for what the victim's family describes as negligence and lack of timely action
Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh leads to closure of over 140 roads
Over 140 roads, including two national highways, are closed in Himachal Pradesh following landslides and flash floods triggered by rains in several parts of the state since the past week, officials said on Wednesday. The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain in isolated parts of the state till Sunday and also warned of low flash floods in parts of Sirmaur district till Thursday. Iintermittent rains continued to lash parts of the state since Tuesday evening and Dharamshala recorded 40.2 mm of rain followed by Kangra (35.9 mm), Narkanda (23.5 mm), Brahmani (19.2 mm), Sujanpur Tira (16 mm), Bharari (15.2 mm), Palampur (14.4 mm) and Rampur (11.2 mm). The State Emergency Operation Centre said 73 roads were closed in Shimla, 22 in Mandi, 20 in Kullu, 14 in Sirmaur, five in Kangra, three in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti each, two in Chamba districts on Wednesday morning. It said 209 power and 47 water supply schemes were also affected. The rainfall defici
Himachal floods: 213 roads closed including national highway, Met issues yellow alert
SHIMLA: Rain-induced landslides and flash floods led to the closure of 213 roads in Himachal Pradesh, with the local Met office issuing a 'yellow alert' in many isolated parts of the state till August 19. Due to the heavy rainfalls, the state emergency operation centre said that 89 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by 42 in Sirmaur, 37 in Mandi, 26 in Kullu, six in Kangra, five in Chamba and four each in Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti. Since Monday evening, Naina Devi recorded the highest rainfall at 96.4 mm, followed by Dharamshala (25 mm), Kandaghat (10.4 mm) and Kahu (9.2 mm), whereas, Kinnaur district remained cut off from Shimla following a landslide in Negulsari. Power and water supplies were also adversely affected due tp the lashing rains. Vehicular traffic on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway moved at a snail's pace after fog in several areas reduced visibility. Officials said 110 people were killed in rain-related incidents and the state suffered losses of about Rs 1,004 crore between June 27 till August 12.
Heavy rain continues to lash Himachal Pradesh, 338 roads closed: Officials
Landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain since Sunday led to the closure of 338 roads, including four national highways in Himachal Pradesh, officials said. Several areas in Una are waterlogged, they said on Monday. Rescue operations to locate about 30 people who went missing after the July 31 flash floods in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts are being conducted but there has been no major success. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered, the officials said. More than 100 people have been killed in rain-related incidents and the state suffered losses of about Rs 842 crore between June 27 and August 9, they said. The State Emergency Operation Centre said of the 338 roads closed, 104 were in Shimla, 71 in Mandi, 58 in Sirmaur, 55 in Chamba, 26 in Kullu, seven each in Solan and Lahaul & Spiti, five in Kinnaur, four in Kangra and one in Bilaspur district. It added that 488 power and 116 water supply schemes were also disrupted on Monday. The reginal Met office has issued a .
Heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods block 288 roads in Himachal
Landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains over the last two days has led to the closure of more than 280 roads in Himachal Pradesh, with 150 being closed on Saturday, according to officials. Water from overflowing streams has entered several houses in Una while the Lahaul and Spiti police have issued an advisory for residents and travellers to exercise extreme caution and not to cross the Jahalman Nallah as its water level is apidly rising, they said. Rescue operations to trace about 30 people who went missing after the July 31 flash floods in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla district are being conducted but there has been no major success. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered, the officials said. More than 100 people have been killed in rain-related incidents, and the state has suffered losses of about Rs 842 crore between June 27 and August 9, they said. The officials said of the 288 roads, 138 were closed on Friday and 150 on Saturday. State emergency operation centre dat
Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, landslides and flash floods block 288 roads
Shimla: Landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains over the last two days has led to the closure of more than 280 roads in Himachal Pradesh, with 150 being closed on Saturday, according to officials. Water from overflowing streams has entered several houses in Una while the Lahaul and Spiti police have issued an advisory for residents and travellers to exercise extreme caution and not to cross the Jahalman Nallah as its water level is apidly rising, they said. Rescue operations to trace about 30 people who went missing after the July 31 flash floods in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla district are being conducted but there has been no major success. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered, the officials said. More than 100 people have been killed in rain-related incidents, and the state has suffered losses of about Rs 842 crore between June 27 and August 9, they said. The officials said of the 288 roads, 138 were closed on Friday and 150 on Saturday. State emergency operation centre data stated that 96 roads have been closed in Mandi, 76 in Shimla, 37 in Kullu, 33 in Sirmaur, 26 in Chamba, seven in Lahaul and Spiti, five in Hamirpur, and four each in Kangra and Kinnaur. Kinnaur district has been cut off from state capital Shimla following flash floods between Pooh and Kaurik and a landslide on the National Highway 5 near Negulsariin. The officials said 458 power and 48 water supply schemes are also affected in the state. The regional meteorological office on Sunday issued an 'orange' alert, the warning for heavy to very rainfall at isolated places in in five districts -- Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamiprpur, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Una. It said rains will be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The MeT office also warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in isolated parts of Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla districts. It said plantations, crops, vulnerable structures and 'kutcha' houses could suffer damage due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas. The rainfall deficit in Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon that began on June 1 stood at 28 per cent till August 10 with Himachal Pradesh receiving 328.8 mm rain against an average of 455.5 mm.
Himachal Pradesh: Relief and rescue operations continue in Samej village
Lahaul and Spiti: Relief and rescue operations are being carried out in the flood-affected Samej village near Rampur in Shimla following the catastrophic cloudbursts that occurred on August 1. Additionally, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted very heavy rainfall (115.6-204.4 mm) across various areas in Himachal Pradesh on August 7. According to the data from State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 85 roads, including two National Highways (NH), have been closed in the state due to landslides and excessive rain. A total of 116 electricity supply schemes and 65 water supply schemes have also been disrupted in the state. An incident of a catastrophic cloudburst occurred in the Lahaul and Spiti districts on Monday. Visuals from the Chicham area showed two bridges washed away due to the cloudburst. Previously, on August 5, the Public Works Department (PWD) of the state continued its sincere efforts to restore normalcy and conduct search operations in the flood-affected regions of the state. Addressing the media in Shimla, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh assured the public that the state is fully prepared to handle any emergency situations, especially with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing rain warnings. We are trying our best to search and restore the affected areas, said Singh. There are nearly 80 roads closed in the state, and there has been a loss of 300 crore rupees to the PWD. In the districts of Kullu and Shimla, search and relief operations are ongoing. Bodies are being recovered, and I have personally visited the sites. In Mandi, 8 bodies have been recovered, and 30 people are still missing. Rescue operations by the SDRF, NDRF, and other central and state agencies are continuing to search for the missing people, he added. The minister highlighted the urgent need to restore infrastructure, mentioning the deployment of three bailey bridges and a request to the Chief Minister to procure additional bridges worth 20 crore rupees to better prepare for future disasters. We are trying to do our best to restore the situation to normal. The Chief Minister has spoken to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, but so far, we have not received any financial assistance from the Union government. We hope that we will get help soon, Singh said.
Toll mounts to 12 in Himachal floods, 46 missing after cloudbursts
CHANDIGARH: With the recovery of four more bodies from Mandi and Shimla, the death toll in a series of cloudburst-triggered flash floods in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh rose to 12 on Monday, as per the state emergency response centre data from June 27 onwards. As many as 46 people in the state, including 30 in Samej village in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district, are sill untraceable, the data indicates. Since June 27, Himachal was hit by 37 cloudbursts, flashfloods and 18 landslides. While 83 houses have been fully damaged, flashfloods damaged 38 partially, and landslides one, taking the total to 122. Meanwhile, 14 shops have also been impacted. The locals claimed that three villages (Samej, Dhara Sarda and Kushwa) along the the border of Shimla and Kullu, have no power since the tragedy struck. More machinery, sniffer dog squad, drones and other equipment have been pressed into service. Around 410 people from teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police and home guards are involved in the rescue operation besides four JCB machines, said sources.
Death toll rises to 13, Himachal Pradesh floods cause Rs 700 cr in damage
Himachal Pradesh cloudburst: Kullu-Manali Highway, which was washed away in the cloudburst on August 1, has been partially reopened for one-way traffic
Himachal Pradesh: 13 Dead, Over 40 Missing After Cloudburst Triggers Flash Floods; Rescue Ops On
Over 40 people are still missing after a series of cloudbursts occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 and wreaked havoc.
Himachal cloudburst: Massive rescue Op underway; Kullu-Manali Highway partially opened
Rains lash western, central India; Srinagar-Leh highway closed after cloudburst in J-K
NEW DELHI: Heavy rains lashed western and central parts of India on Sunday while a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir led to the closure of the arterial Srinagar-Leh national highway, cutting off the Kashmir Valley from Ladakh and rendering the Baltal base camp for the Amarnath Yatra inaccessible. Five people died in rain-related incidents in 24 hours till Sunday evening in Uttar Pradesh while six of its districts were still affected by floods. The death toll in last week's landslides in Kerala's Wayanad and Himachal Pradesh rose to 221 and 13, respectively, while more than 400 people, including pilgrims, stranded on the rain-ravaged trek route to Uttarakhand's Kedarnath, were evacuated. So far, more than 10,000 people have been rescued from Kedarnath, Bhimbali and Gaurikund. The trek route to Kedarnath suffered extensive damage as a result of a cloudburst in Junglechatti near Lincholi last Wednesday. Army personnel were deployed at an inundated residential area in Maharashtra's Pune amid heavy downpours and water discharge from the Khadakwasla dam, officials said. In view of the discharge of water from Khadakwasla, Mulshi, Pavana and other dams in the Pune region, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed authorities to be alert and shift people from dangerous zones to safer places with the assistance of NDRF, SDRF and the Army, if needed. Officials of Maharashtra's irrigation department said 35,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Khadakwasla dam following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas in the past fortnight. The ghat section in Pune district received heavy rainfall in the last two days. The Nashik district administration has appealed to people to stay alert amid a rise in the water level of the Godavari river due to heavy rains. An official said that in the wake of incessant rains, 4,000 cusecs of water was released from the Gangapur dam leading to the swelling of the Godavari, increasing the risk of a flood-like situation downstream. In Jammu and Kashmir, some buildings suffered damage while the Srinagar-Leh national highway was closed following a cloudburst in Ganderbal district that triggered a flash flood. The highway's closure has cut off the Kashmir Valley from Ladakh while the Baltal base camp for Amarnath yatra has also been rendered inaccessible. Death toll in Uttarakhand monsoon havoc climbs to 19; over 9,200 pilgrims rescued In Uttar Pradesh, Ballia, Lakhimpur Kheri, Farrukhabad, Sitapur, Bijnor and Barabanki districts are still flooded. According to the state's irrigation department, the Ganga river was flowing above the danger mark at Kachla Bridge in Budaun. Heavy rainfall in Jharkhand has led to the swelling of a couple of rivers in the state, forcing the East Singhbhum district administration to issue an alert for people residing in the low-lying areas. The water level in Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers has been rising for the last couple of days due to incessant rains in the state. According to an official release, the water level in the Swarnarekha river was at 116.58 metres at 9 am on Sunday against the danger mark of 121.50 metres. The water level of the Kharkhai was flowing at 126.83 metres against the red mark of 129 metres, it added. Around 3,500 cusecs of water was released into the Swarnarekha river from the Chandil Dam in the adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district of Jharkhand. People residing in the catchment areas have been asked not to venture out near the rivers, and duly follow the directives issued by the administration. In neighbouring West Bengal, rainfall occurred at most places in all the districts with a few places in Birbhum witnessing heavy showers. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 1.2 lakh cusecs of water from the Panchet and Maithon dams along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border on Sunday morning after heavy discharge of water from Tenughat upstream. A total of 90,000 cusecs of water was released from Panchet and Maithon on Saturday. Several south Bengal districts, including Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Paschim and Purba Medinipur, Bankura, Hooghly and Howrah have been impacted by the release of water by DVC. The death toll due to flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh increased to 13 with the recovery of four more bodies from Mandi and Shimla districts. Over 40 people are still missing after a series of cloudbursts occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 and wreaked havoc. The rescue operations are still underway and sniffer dogs, drones and other equipment are also being used to locate the missing people. According to officials, 410 rescuers from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police and home guards are involved in the hunt. A total of 87 roads are still closed in the state. The local meteorological office has warned of heavy showers, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh till August 8. Intermittent rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh with Hamirpur receiving the highest rainfall at 54 mm since Friday evening, followed by Berthin and Dharamshala at 19 mm each, Neri 11 mm, Kangra 9.7 mm, Kukumseri 9.6 mm, Sundernagar 8.1 mm, Manali and Chamba 6 mm each and Bajaura 5 mm. Rescue operations in landslide-hit areas of Kerala's Wayanad district continued for the sixth day as authorities intensified efforts to recover bodies and also prepared a mass grave for unidentified remains. Hundreds of personnel from various forces, including the NDRF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Special Operations Group, were deployed in the disaster-struck areas. According to State Revenue Minister K Rajan, 221 bodies and 166 body parts have been recovered so far. The number of missing people has gone down to 180 from the earlier 206 after authorities were able to get in touch with some of them over the phone, he said. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in eastern, northeastern and northern parts of the country on Monday while isolated places in Bihar Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh are likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. Himachal cloudbursts: Death toll rises to 11, searches on for over 40 missing
Himachal cloudburst toll rises to 11; 40 missing
Over 40 people are still missing after a series of cloudbursts occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 and wreaked havoc.
Over 40 people are still missing after a series of cloudbursts occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 and wreaked havoc.
Himachal cloudbursts: Death toll rises to 11, searches on for over 40 missing
SHIMLA: The death toll due to flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh has increased to 11 with the recovery of two more bodies from Mandi district. Over 40 people are still missing after a series of cloudbursts occurred in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 and wreaked havoc. The bodies of Sonam (23) and three-month-old Manvi were recovered from Rajbhan village in Padhar area of Mandi district, officials said. The rescue operations are still underway and sniffer dogs, drones and other equipment are also being used to locate the missing people. According to officials, 410 rescuers from teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police and home guards are involved in the hunt. Over 30 people are missing in Samej village in Gram panchayat Sarpara in Rampur subdivision. More machines have been deployed and the rescue operations are going in full swing. As the flow of water has reduced, now machines have reached the spot where the missing persons could be possibly found, Up-pradhan Sarpara C L Negi said. The state government on Friday announced an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the victims and said they would be given Rs 5,000 monthly for rent for the next three months along with gas, food and other essential items. The state has suffered a loss of Rs 662 crore since the onset of monsoon on June 27 till August 3. Seventy-nine people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, as per the state emergency operation centre.
114 roads closed in Himachal, MeT predicts heavy rainfall till Aug 7
Flash floods and landslides due to cloudbursts and heavy rains have led to the closure of 114 roads in Himachal Pradesh, while the weather department on Saturday warned that heavy showers would continue in the state till August 7. Of the roads closed for vehicular traffic, 36 are in Mandi, 34 in Kullu, 27 in Shimla, eight in Lahaul and Spiti, seven in Kangra, and two in Kinnaur district, according to the state emergency operation centre. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation has suspended its bus services on 82 routes, an official said. Moderate to heavy showers continued to lash parts of the state, with Jogindernagar receiving the highest rainfall of 85 mm since Friday evening, followed by Gohar 80 mm, Shilaroo 76.4 mm, Poanta Sahib 67.2 mm, Palampur 57.2 mm, Dharamshala 56.2 mm and Chopal 52 mm. The local weather office has issued a yellow alert for heavy rains till August 7. Rain-related incidents have claimed 77 lives between June 27 and August 1 and caused losses amounti
Of the 191 roads closed for vehicular traffic in the state, 79 are in Mandi, 38 in Kullu, 35 in Chamba and 30 in Shimla, five in Kangra and two each in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts, according to the data released by the state emergency operation centre on Saturday.
Over 190 roads closed in Himachal, Met predicts heavy rain till August 7
Of the 191 roads closed for vehicular traffic in the state, 79 are in Mandi, 38 in Kullu, 35 in Chamba and 30 in Shimla, five in Kangra and two each in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts
Himachal Cloudburst: Death Toll Rises To 8, Army Builds Bridge To Connect Samej Village | Top Points
A total of 115 roads, including 46 in Mandi, 38 in Kullu and 15 in Shimla, are closed for traffic, as per the state emergency operation centre.
Himachal cloudburst: 53 people still missing, 6 bodies recovered so far
Shimla: A total of 53 people are still missing and six bodies were recovered so far as on Saturday after a cloudburst followed by flashfloods wreaked widespread destruction in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh, as per the District Disaster Management Authority. Special Secretary DC Rana of the DDMA said that over sixty 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 .
Eight dead, over 45 missing in Himachal cloudbursts
CHANDIGARH: Even as rescuers raced against time to trace 45 people missing since late Wednesdays heavy rains in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, the death toll from flashfloods trigged by cloudbursts rose to eight with the recovery of three more bodies on Friday, sources said. As many as 33 stranded people have been rescued from the Malana-II power project site in Manikaran area of Kullu district. According to the state emergency operation centre, 103 houses have been completely or partially damaged in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts. Six motorable and 32 footbridges, shops, school buildings and vehicles are heavily damaged in the past 36 hours. In many places in interior areas, people stayed awake all night atop hillocks to stay safe amid fears of heavy rains. Kullu deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh said the government primary and secondary schools have been damaged and arrangements were being made to run the schools from safer locations. Shimla superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said, We have to search a 100-km area. Drones are being used to locate the missing people. Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh: Rescue operation underway to trace 45 missing people The maximum damage was caused at Samej area of the Rampur subdivision of Shimla district as a cloudburst near the Shrikhand Mahadev route on Wednesday night triggered flashfloods. The State Emergency Operation Centre said 73 people have died in rain-related incidents since the onset of monsoon on June 27. The government has suffered losses of `649 crore. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited Samej and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. Each affected family will receive `50,000 as immediate assistance and `5,000 per month, for three months, for hiring rented accommodation from today itself, he said. The government would provide free ration, cooking gas and stoves. Seven killed, 320 rescued after Uttarakhand cloudbursts
Fake Ayushman cards case: ED seizes papers showing suspicious transactions worth 21 crore
The searches were carried out at 20 locations in Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh (Kangra, Una, Shimla, Mandi and Kullu) on July 31
Himachal gets yellow alert, heavy rain likely till Aug 6; 115 roads closed
The meteorological office here on Friday issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning in isolated places in ten out districts of Himachal Pradesh till August 6. A total of 115 roads -- 46 in Mandi, 38 in Kullu, 15 in Shimla, six each in kangra and Sirmaur, three in Kinnaur and one in Lahaul and Spiti -- are closed for vehicular traffic following heavy rains in the state. According the state emergency operation centre, 225 transformers and 111 water supply schemes have been affected. Rain-related incidents have claimed 77 lives since the onset of monsoon on June 27 till August 1 and the state has also suffered losses to the tune of Rs 655 crore, according to the centre. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended bus services on 82 out of the total 3,612 routes, Managing Director Rohan Chand Thakur said. The MeT office also cautioned of the possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas and damage to plantations and standing c
Himachal cloudburst: Death toll rises to 8, rescue operations underway
Rescue operations are underway on Friday to trace about 45 people missing following flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday. With recovery of three more bodies, the death toll due to the flash floods in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision has increased to eight. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur visited Samej on the border of Shimla and Kullu district to take stock of the situation and talk to the victims. Over 30 people were missing after a cloudburst near Shrikhand Mahadev route on Wednesday night triggered flash floods in Sarpara, Ganvi and Kurban nallahs. Talking to reporters, Sukhu said 17-18 women and 8-9 children are among those missing. The rescue of people is our first priority. The chief minister announced an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the victims and also said that they would be given Rs 5,000 a month
HP cloudburst: Death toll rises to 8, rescue operation on to trace 45 missing people
Shimla: Rescue operations were underway on Friday to trace over 45 people missing following flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday. With recovery of three more bodies, the death toll due to the flash floods in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Padhar in Mandi and Rampur in Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh has increased to eight. While five bodies were found in Rajban village in Mandi, one was found in Nirmand in Kullu and two in Rampur in Shimla. The two bodies recovered in Rajban were identified as that of Aman (9) and Aryan (8), officials said on Friday. Relatives of the missing persons are camping at the sites with hope fading with every passing hour. Bodies of my father-in-law and mother-in-law have been recovered but my son, my brother-in-law, his wife and their six-year-old son and two-month-old daughter are still missing, a wailing woman told PTI Videos. Fear of death kept us awake all night as we climbed to a mountain to stay safe, said another villager who came out after hearing screams to see houses swept in flash floods. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur visited Samej on the border of Shimla and Kullu district to take stock of the situation and talk to the victims. At the site of the Malana II power project in Manikaran area of Kullu district, 33 stranded people were rescued on Thursday night and this morning, Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, said on Friday. A wall and way to a tunnel was damaged due to rains and water entered the barrage but the teams of the NDRF and home guard managed to rescue the people. Talking to reporters outside Parliament in the national capital, BJP MP from Mandi Lok Sabha seat Kangana Ranaut expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the cloudburst incidents, and said life of people in the tough terrain is difficult and such disasters are adding to their pain every year. The prime minister and home minister have assured that relief would be given to the state. I am also going to different ministries in New Delhi to get help for Himachal and would visit the state soon, she added. Personnel of the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster Response Force, police and home guards are involved in the rescue operations and the help of drones is being taken to locate the missing persons, officials added. The maximum damage was caused in Samej area of Rampur subdivision of Shimla district as a cloudburst near Shrikhand Mahadev route on Wednesday night triggered flash floods in Sarpara, Ganvi and Kurban nallahs. The cloudburst affected both Shimla and Kullu districts. Three people are missing and 15 families are affected, DC, Kullu, who reached Samej (Kullu side), said. Government primary and secondary schools where about 100 students were studying have been damaged and arrangements are being made to run the school at another location, she added. Due to flash floods triggered by cloudburst, the water in Samej Khud in Shimla district's Rampur rose, leaving two people dead and over 30 missing, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi had told PTI. Mutilated body parts of two persons were recovered on Thursday, he added. We have to search in about a 100-km area, some of which is inaccessible, and drones are being used to locate the missing people, Gandhi had told PTI on Thursday. According to reports, over 20 houses, six shops, four main and two foot bridges were washed after the cloudburst in the state and road connectivity has been hampered in the affected areas. So far since the onset of monsoon on June 27, 73 people have died in rain-related incidents and the state has also suffered losses to the tune of Rs 649 crore, according to the state's Emergency Operation Centre.
Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh Leave Scores Missing as Relief Operations Ramp Up
Rescue operations are in full swing to locate over 45 people reported missing after flash floods wreaked havoc across three districts of Himachal Pradesh earlier this week. Cloudbursts over the mountainous regions of Kullu, Mandi and Shimla on Wednesday triggered sudden deluges that washed away homes, shops and bridges, endangering lives. The worst-hit appears to [] The post Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh Leave Scores Missing as Relief Operations Ramp Up appeared first on Northlines .
Himachal cloudbursts: 5 dead, over 50 missing; IMD issues flash flood alert
Himachal Pradesh cloudbursts update: The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi, as more rainfall is expected on Friday
Central financial assistance sought for cloudburst-hit Himachal, U'khand
Central government should in bipartisan manner provide financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where cloudbursts and accompanying landslides and floods have claimed nearly two dozen lives and several are still missing, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari demanded in Rajya Sabha on Friday. Raising the issue through a zero hour mention, he said six people have died and 50 are missing following cloudbursts in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. Three national highways as well as dozens of other roads have shut due to flooding, stranding tourists and other commuters. In neighbouring Uttarakhand, 16 people have died and many are missing following heavy rains. Due to cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, 22 people have died and 60 are missing, he said. He demanded that the central government should provide adequate financial assistance. Last time, Himachal Pradesh was not given financial assistance, he said. Tiruchi Siva of DMK raised the we
Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh: Rescue operation underway to trace 45 missing people
SHIMLA: Rescue operations were underway on Friday to trace over 45 people missing following flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, while 29 people stranded at the site of a power project in the state were brought to safety overnight, officials said. Cloudbursts in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Padhar in Mandi and Rampur in Shimla districts on Wednesday had left five people dead and over 45 missing. Thirty-three people were also stuck in Malana II power project in Manikaran area of Kullu district. Himachal rains: Two dead, over 50 missing after cloudburst; Manali cut off Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, said that 29 out of the 33 have been rescued. A wall and way to a tunnel were damaged due to rains and water entered the barrage but the teams of the NDRF and home guard managed to rescue 29 people, while four persons are still in the powerhouse. The relatives of the missing people are campaigning at the spot and the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster Response Force, police and home guards are involved in the rescue operations and the help of drones is being taken to locate the missing persons, officials added. Seven killed, 320 rescued after Uttarakhand cloudbursts The maximum damage was caused in the Samej area of the Rampur subdivision of Shimla district, as a cloudburst near Shrikhand Mahadev on Wednesday night triggered flash floods in Sarpara, Ganvi and Kurban nallahs. As a result, the water in Samej Khud in Shimla district's Rampur rose, leaving two people dead and about 30 missing, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi had told PTI. We have to search about a 100-km area, some of which is inaccessible and drones are being used to locate the missing people, Gandhi had told PTI on Thursday. #HimachalPradesh | One dead and over 40 people missing following a cloudburst in Shimla. Visuals of a building collapse in Himachal's Manikaran. @Harpreet_TNIE pic.twitter.com/jJpN12ug85 The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 1, 2024 Nali Ram, a senior citizen who along with his family members managed to escape the flash floods, said, I heard the sound of gushing waters and came out of my house only to find the area around flooded. The swelling of Samej Khud resulted in havoc in Shimla and Kullu districts. My father-in-law, who was working on a project, has been missing since last night and I along with other relatives came here in search of him, another local Neel Dutt said. According to reports, over 20 houses, six shops, four main and two foot bridges were washed after the cloudburst in the state. road connectivity has been hampered in the affected areas. So far since the onset of monsoon on June 27, 73 people have died in rain-related incidents and the state has also suffered losses to the tune of Rs 649 crore, according to the state's Emergency Operation Centre.
Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh: Rescue operation under way to trace 45 missing people
Thirty-three people were stuck in Malana II power project in Manikaran area of Kullu district. Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, said 29 out of the 33 have been rescued.
Himachal cloudburst: Rescue operation underway to trace 45 missing people
Thirty-three people were also stuck in Malana II power project in Manikaran area of Kullu district. Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, said 29 out of the 33 have been rescued. A wall and way to a tunnel was damaged due to rains and water entered the barrage but the teams of the NDRF and home guard managed to rescue 29 people, while four persons are still in the power house.
Himachal cloudburst: Rescue ops underway to trace 45 missing people
Rescue operations were underway on Friday to trace over 45 people missing following flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, while 29 people stranded at the site of a power project in the state were brought to safety overnight, officials said. Cloudbursts in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Padhar in Mandi and Rampur in Shimla districts on Wednesday had left five people dead and over 45 missing. Thirty-three people were also stuck in Malana II power project in Manikaran area of Kullu district. Deputy Commissioner Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, said 29 out of the 33 have been rescued. A wall and way to a tunnel was damaged due to rains and water entered the barrage but the teams of the NDRF and home guard managed to rescue 29 people, while four persons are still in the power house. The relatives of the missing people are campaigning at the spot and the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, State Disaster ..
Himachal Pradesh: Cloudbursts & ravaging rain fury
CHANDIGARH: Multiple cloudbursts overnight in Himachal Pradeshs capital Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts not only killed four people but also led to the disappearance of at least 50 people. Manali is cut off from the rest of the country while the state government has put the Army and Air Force on standby. According to the state emergency operation centre, the cloudbursts took place in Nirmand, Sainj and Malana areas in Kullu, Padhar in Mandi and Rampur in Shimla districts. More than a dozen houses were washed away and two bridges were damaged as incessant rains swelled up the Parvati river at Sainj. The flash flood has damaged the highway at Malana. Earthmoving equipment were washed away near a hydro project Jhakri in Rampur in Shimla district. The partially washed-away Manali-Chandigarh highway is seen alongside a swollen Beas River at Manali, following a recent cloudburst in Kullu district, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 The worst hit is the Malana-II power project. Amid a sharp rise in the dams water level, people have been advised to stay away from the river and nearby areas. While rescue operations began gingerly, parts of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway were washed away at many points. A building collapsed at Sabji Mandi in Manikaran in the raging Parvati in Kullu. Fed by heavy rains, the swollen Beas threatens Kullu forcing closure of Shimla-Junga road following reports of vehicles being buried in debris in Rajnagar in Churah assembly constituency in Chamba. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said: At least 50 people are missing and two are dead in an early morning cloudburst in Kullu, Shimla and Mandi districts. Around 35 people are missing in Rampur in Shimla, 9 in Mandi and one is Kullu. High alert in Kedar valley Swollen rivers have crossed danger marks at several places, prompting the government to sound a high alert in the Kedar valley, and suspend the Kedarnath Yatra. Rescue efforts are underway to evacuate pilgrims stranded along the Char Dham routes, with helicopters being used in the operation. Sources said that since Thursday morning, SDRF and other relief teams have shifted 320 Char Dham pilgrims to safe locations.
Himachal: MeT office issues 'red alert' of heavy rains in 3 districts on Thursday
Four people were killed and about 50 went missing following several incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh where rains washed away many houses, bridges and roads on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Moderate flash flood threat is likely in isolated parts of Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla districts in the next six hours, the MeT office said.
Himachal cloudburst: Rahul speaks with CM Sukhu to take stock of situation
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the cloudburst incidents in Himachal Pradesh, and said that he had spoken with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take stock of the difficult situation. Three people were killed and about 40 went missing after two separate incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh where rains washed away many houses and roads and left two hydro power projects damaged, officials said on Thursday. The news of the death and disappearance of many people due to cloudburst and heavy rainfall in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu is extremely saddening, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families in this difficult time,he former Congress chief said in a post in Hindi on X. Gandhi said he had taken stock of this difficult situation by talking to Sukhu. He (Sukhu) informed that he himself is visiting these sites of incidents and during this time, the NDRF,
PM Narendra Modi monitoring situation in Himachal Pradesh in wake of heavy rains, cloudbursts
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to assess the situation following a cloudburst that caused significant disruption in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts and said that the incidents of cloudburst are extremely sad. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to all the bereaved families.
Cloudbursts In Himachal's Shimla, Kullu And Mandi, 2 Dead, Over 50 Missing
Twenty people are reported to be missing after a cloudburst in Shimla's Rampur. The district administration said the disaster management authority received information about a cloudburst near a hydroelectric power project at Samej Khad early today.
Over 50 missing in Himachal after cloudburst in Shimla, Mandi, Kullu
Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukkhu said that rescue and relief operations are ongoing
#Cloudburst in Kedarnath Triggers Landslide, Strands Over 150 Pilgrims
A cloudburst in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, on July 31 caused significant damage to approximately 30 meters of the walkway. Authorities have raised concerns that around 150-200 pilgrims may be stranded in the area. A high alert has been issued for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local officials to respond to the situation. The cloudburst resulted in a landslide along the Bhim Bali stream near the Kedarnath walkway. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported. This incident follows a recent landslide in Uttarakhand's Tehri district caused by heavy rainfall, which destroyed several houses and shops. A 42-year-old woman, Sarita Devi, and her 15-year-old daughter, Ankita, were tragically buried under the debris. Rescuers later recovered their bodies from Toli village. District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit explained that a retaining wall behind their house collapsed, leading to the tragedy. Additionally, on July 27, the swollen Sone river damaged the Sonprayag-Kedarnath road, disrupting traffic on the route. Water levels in the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers also rose significantly. Latest Updates: Temple Committee President Refutes Congress Claims on Gold Usage in Kedarnath Delhi Metro commuters to get silver from WhatsApp, special facility Flash Flood in Kullu: Footbridge and Sheds Swept Away
Himachal flash flood: Bridges damaged, building collapses in Kullu
Shimla: Heavy damage to public and private property was reported on Thursday owing to the downpour that triggered a flash flood downstream in the Beas River from Palchan to Patlikuhal in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu district. No loss of life has been reported in the Kullu and Mandi districts so far. Scores of bridges in Palchan 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 .
Rains Wreak Havoc In Himachal Pradesh, Three Killed, 40 Missing
Shimla: Three people were killed and about 40 went missing after two separate incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh where rains washed away many houses and roads and left two hydropower projects damaged, officials said on Thursday. A cloudburst at Samagh Khud (nallah) in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district left two people dead and 28 others missing, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, told PTI. Two people have been rescued from the spot. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap said the cloudburst occurred close to 1 am. Rescue operation is challenging as roads have been washed away, he said. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said massive damage has been caused due to heavy rains and cloudbursts in the state. Road connectivity has been hampered in the affected areas. Four motorable bridges and footbridges have been washed away and rescue operations are going on in full swing, he said, adding the apple crop has also been damaged. The DC and SP, who were on the spot, said that teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, police, and home guards have started rescue operations and the help of drones is being taken to locate the missing persons. Another cloudburst in the Thalatukhod area of Padhar in Mandi district on Wednesday night left one person dead and nine others missing. A few houses have collapsed and the road connectivity has been disrupted. The Mandi district administration has sought assistance from the Indian Air Force and NDRF. Due to the overflowing Beas River, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been damaged in several places. Reports of houses being damaged in Bhagipul in Kullu have also poured in and an alert has been issued in the Bhuntar area of Kullu as the swollen Parvati River and Malana Khud were flooded, damaging Malana I and Malana II hydropower projects. The Manali-Chandigarh National Highway has been breached at numerous places due to landslides and gushing waters of River Beas have entered some houses at Pandoh in Mandi. There were reports of some people missing and houses and shops being washed away in the area. All educational institutions in the affected regions have been closed as authorities focus on rescue and relief operations, officials said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has convened an emergency meeting at the secretariat following the cloudburst.
Rains Wreak Havoc In HP; Three Killed, 40 Missing
Shimla: Three people were killed and about 40 went missing after two separate incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh where rains washed away many houses and roads and left two hydropower projects damaged, officials said on Thursday. A cloudburst at Samagh Khud (nallah) in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district left two people dead and 28 others missing, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, told PTI. Two people have been rescued from the spot. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap said the cloudburst occurred close to 1 am. Rescue operation is challenging as roads have been washed away, he said. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said massive damage has been caused due to heavy rains and cloudbursts in the state. Road connectivity has been hampered in the affected areas. Four motorable bridges and footbridges have been washed away and rescue operations are going on in full swing, he said, adding the apple crop has also been damaged. The DC and SP, who were on the spot, said that teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, police, and home guards have started rescue operations and the help of drones is being taken to locate the missing persons. Another cloudburst in the Thalatukhod area of Padhar in Mandi district on Wednesday night left one person dead and nine others missing. A few houses have collapsed and the road connectivity has been disrupted. The Mandi district administration has sought assistance from the Indian Air Force and NDRF. Due to the overflowing Beas River, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been damaged in several places. Reports of houses being damaged in Bhagipul in Kullu have also poured in and an alert has been issued in the Bhuntar area of Kullu as the swollen Parvati River and Malana Khud were flooded, damaging Malana I and Malana II hydropower projects. The Manali-Chandigarh National Highway has been breached at numerous places due to landslides and gushing waters of River Beas have entered some houses at Pandoh in Mandi. There were reports of some people missing and houses and shops being washed away in the area. All educational institutions in the affected regions have been closed as authorities focus on rescue and relief operations, officials said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has convened an emergency meeting at the secretariat following the cloudburst.
The multistorey building near the riverbank collapsed and was swept away by the river within seconds.
Himachal rains: Over 30 people missing in Shimla after cloudburst; building washed away in Kullu
SHIMLA: Over 30 people are missing following a cloudburst in the Jhakhari area of Rampur subdivision of Shimla district early Thursday, officials said. Roads have been washed away and a hydropower project in the area has also been damaged, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap told PTI. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | 19 people are missing after a cloudburst in the Samej Khad of Rampur area in Shimla district. The SDRF team at the spot for the search and rescue operation (Visual source - DPRO Shimla) pic.twitter.com/afz23ylf4P ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024 Teams of the National Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, police and home guards have started rescue operations. Drones are also being used to locate the missing people, he added. In Kullu, a building collapsed and was swept into the Parvati River on Thursday morning, while water levels in the Beas River have risen due to incessant rain in Manali. VIDEO | Himachal Pradesh: A building collapsed and was washed away in raging Parvati River in #Kullu , earlier today. More details are awaited. #HimachalPradeshRains #HimachalWeather (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/KwphMv7Aj8 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2024
ED raids Himachal Cong MLA, CM's 'associate' in Ayushman Bharat fraud case
SHIMLA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the premises of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA R S Bali, some private hospitals and their promoters as part of a money laundering probe linked to the alleged Ayushman Bharat scheme fraud, officials said. About 19 locations in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi and Kullu districts of the state apart from those in Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab are being searched since morning, they said. The premises of Bali, a legislator from Nagrota assembly seat, Fortis Hospital in Kangra (promoted by Bali's company Himachal Healthcare Pvt Ltd.), Balaji Hospital in Kangra and its promoter Rajesh Sharma are being raided. Sharma, according to the officials, is a close associate of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He gave up his ticket for the recent Dehra assembly bypoll for Sukhu's wife Kamlesh Thakur. She won the bypoll. Bali is also the chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and the vice-chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board. The money laundering case filed on July 16 stems from a January 2023 FIR registered by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau against one Kiran Soni, Una-based Shri Banke Bihari Hospital and others for allegedly generating fake AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna) cards. The ED has alleged that many medical bills were generated on such fake cards, causing a loss to the exchequer and the public with the total proceeds of crime in this case estimated to be around Rs 25 crore. The agency found that a total of 8,937 Ayushman Bharat golden cards have been scrapped in the state for alleged violation of the AB-PMJAY scheme till now. It alleged that Bankey Bihari Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Shri Balaji Hospital, Sood Nursing Home and Sri Harihar Hospital among others availed illegal benefits under the AB-PMJAY scheme. As many as 373 fake Ayushman cards have been identified and claims of Rs 40,68,150 were made for reimbursement from the government in the name of treatment given to some Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, the agency found. List of such fake beneficiaries included one Rajnish Kumar and Pooja Dhiman who denied possession or any information of a PMJAY card issued to them, the ED found. They never underwent any such treatment in any of these hospitals, the ED claimed. The accused hospitals made claims for treatments, surgery, admission which were actually never given or performed upon the patients, it said. In an another instance, Raksha Devi was denied admission in the hospital and her package was dishonestly and illegally blocked. The accused hospitals were de- empanelled from the Ayushman Bharat scheme for illegal practices and non-compliance of procedures and guidelines, the agency claimed.
Ayushman Bharat fraud case: ED searches 19 locations in Himachal, Punjab, Delhi
According to ED, about 19 locations in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi and Kullu in the state apart from Delhi and Chandigarh are being searched since July 30 morning.
ED raids Himachal Pradesh Cong MLA in Ayushman Bharat fraud case
Shimla: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the premises of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA R S Bali, some private hospitals and their promoters as part of a money laundering investigation into the alleged Ayushman Bharat scheme fraud, officials said. About 19 locations in Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi and Kullu in the state apart from Delhi and Chandigarh are being searched since morning, they said. The premises of Bali, Fortis Hospital in Kangra (promoted by Bali's company Himachal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.), Balaji Hospital in Kangra and its promoter Rajesh Sharma are being raided. Sharma, according to the officials, is close to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He gave up his ticket for the recent Dehra assembly bypoll for Sukhu's wife Kamlesh Thakur. She won the bypoll. The money laundering case stems from a January 2023 FIR registered by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau against Kiran Soni, Una-based Shri Banke Bihari Hospital and others for generating fake AB-PMJAY (Arogya Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna) cards. The ED has alleged that many medical bills were generated on such fake cards, causing a loss to the exchequer and the public.
Himachal: Footbridge, Makeshift Sheds Washed Away in Flash Flood Triggered by Cloudburst in Kullu
Shimla : A footbridge and three makeshift sheds, including a liquor shop, were washed away following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Tosh Nallah in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, officials said on Tuesday.The incident took place in the Tosh area of Manikaran early in the morning and no loss of life was reported, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Torul S Raveesh said, adding that a team has been sent to the spot to assess the situation. Our appeal to people is to stay away from rivers and rivulets and not make temporary structures near nallahs, she said. The deputy commissioner said that construction activity is prohibited during the monsoon and strict action would be taken against anyone defying the norms. Heavy rainfall of approximately 60 mm brought much-needed relief from the heat for Una residents but it also led to flooding on roads, with water entering the tehsil office, videos of which have surfaced on the internet. The local meteorological office has issued an 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rain accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning in six districts of the state on Wednesday and Thursday. The Met has also sounded a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain at isolated places on August 2 and 3 and predicted a wet spell in the state till August 5. Monsoon activity is likely to intensify with widespread precipitation in the next four to five days, it said. Spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur on Wednesday and Thursday, the weather office said. It also cautioned of possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas of Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Kinnaur districts, and damage to plantations and standing crops, vulnerable structures and 'kutcha' houses due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Meanwhile, light rainfall was witnessed in a few parts of the state. According to Meteorological Centre, Shimla, in the past 24 hours, Una recorded 60.2 mm of rain followed by Sarahan and Rohru (12 mm each ), Sangrah (10 mm), Jogindernagar (8 mm), Sainj (6.5 mm), Manali (6 mm), Rampur (5.8 mm), Dharamshala (5.4 mm) and Gohar (5 mm). Official data recorded until Tuesday evening showed rain-related incidents have claimed 65 lives in the past one month since the onset of monsoon on June 27. The state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 433 crore in the ongoing monsoon, according to the state emergency operation centre.
Flashflood in Manikaran Valley narrowly averted major disaster in Kasol town
A flashflood triggered by heavy rains hit Tosh Nullah in the picturesque Manikaran Valley of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh early Tuesday morning. According to officials, the flood waters swelled rapidly due to the cloudburst, damaging two shops including a wine shop in the area. A local caf was also flooded and a road bridge [] The post Flashflood in Manikaran Valley narrowly averted major disaster in Kasol town appeared first on Northlines .
Footbridge washed away in flash flood triggered by cloudburst in Kullu
A footbridge and three makeshift sheds, including a liquor shop, were washed away following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Tosh Nallah in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, officials said on Tuesday. The incident took place in the Tosh area of Manikaran early in the morning and no loss of life was reported, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Torul S Raveesh said, adding that a team has been sent to the spot to assess the situation. Our appeal to the people is to stay away from rivers and rivulets and do not make temporary structures near nallahs, she said. The deputy commissioner said that construction activity is prohibited during the monsoon and strict action would be taken against anyone defying the norms. The local meteorological office has issued an 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rain accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning in seven districts of the state on Wednesday and Thursday. The Met has also sounded a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain at isolated places o
Monsoon activity is likely to intensify with widespread precipitation in the next four to five days, it said. Spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur on Wednesday and Thursday, the weather office said.
Flash Flooding in Kullu Valley Causes Disruption to Travel Route Between Manali and Leh
A flash flood caused damage in the Anjani Mahadev area of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh recently. While no loss of life was reported, a home suffered impacts from the sudden rise of water levels. Heavy rainfall in the mountainous terrain led to a rapid surge of water through the region. The floodwaters affected the [] The post Flash Flooding in Kullu Valley Causes Disruption to Travel Route Between Manali and Leh appeared first on Northlines .
Vehicles headed to Manali from Lahaul and Spiti via the north portal of the Atal Tunnel have been diverted towards Rohtang.
Part Of Himachal's Leh-Manali Road Closed After Cloudburst Triggers Flash Flood
A stretch of the National Highway-3 was closed for vehicular traffic following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Himachal's Kullu district, police said on Thursday.
Part of NH-3 in Himachal closed after cloudburst causes flash flood
A stretch of the National Highway-3 was closed for vehicular traffic following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Himachal's Kullu district, police said on Thursday. No casualty has so far been reported in the incident that occurred late Wednesday, they said. According to officials, the stretch between Dhundi and Palchan Bridge on NH-3, also known as Leh-Manali Road, was affected due to the cloudburst at Anjani Mahadev nullah in the Manali area. Vehicles headed to Manali from Lahaul and Spiti via the north portal of the Atal Tunnel have been diverted towards Rohtang, the Lahaul and Spiti police said in an advisory on Thursday. It also asked the commuters to travel only if necessary, drive cautiously, and stay aware of the possible danger en route. A total of 15 roads, including 12 in Mandi, two in Kinnaur and one in Kangra district were closed for vehicular traffic while 62 transformers were disrupted in the state on Wednesday night, the state emergency operation centre ..
Part of NH-3 in Himachal closed after cloudburst triggers flash flood
Shimla/Manali, Jul 25: A stretch of the National Highway-3 was closed for vehicular traffic following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Himachals Kullu district, police said on Thursday. No casualty has so far been reported in the incident that occurred late Wednesday, they said. According to officials, the stretch between Dhundi and Palchan Bridge on NH-3, also known as Leh-Manali Road, was affected due to the cloudburst at Anjani Mahadev nullah in the Manali area. Vehicles headed to [] The post Part of NH-3 in Himachal closed after cloudburst triggers flash flood appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Despite damaged roads and unpredictable weather, over one crore tourists visited Himachal this year
CHANDIGARH: Over one crore tourists have visited Himachal Pradesh in the first six months with Kullu and Shimla districts emerging as top attractions, drawing 4.73 lakh and 4.48 lakh tourists respectively. It is expected that by the end of this year two crore tourist will visit the hill state. Himachal witnessed a significant surge in tourism in the first six months of this year. By the end of June, the Himachal recorded as many as 1,00,87,440 tourists, who came to the state attracted by its picturesque valleys, pleasant climate and also the facilities extended by the government. Key destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti remained popular while Kullu and Shimla districts emerged as top attractions, drawing as many as 4,73,737 and 4,48,392 tourists respectively. This trend has continued in July, aided by favourable weather conditions and open roads, allowing tourists to escape the sticky summer heat of the plains. In addition to popular tourist destinations of Kullu, Manali, Mandi, Shimla, Chail, Kasauli and Barog, the Reva waterfall in Solan and unexplored trails in the snow-capped mountains of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur have also reportedly emerged as popular destinations for tourists. Kangra also witnessed a rush, especially during the Navratri season due to the presence of Shakti Peethas - Brijeshwari, Jawalamukhi, Chamunda and the temple of Baglamukhi. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed that despite the damage to several roads due to recent heavy rains , the majority of roads have been made accessible. Despite recent weather conditions affecting some roads, most of the roads across the state remain open and accessible to tourists and the general public. Himachal is also witnessing an influx of thousands of tourists in July... these numbers are promising... we expect to surpass two crore visitors by the end of this year, he said. Sukhu also emphasized the importance of tourists staying informed about the latest travel advisories and road conditions through the helplines of the district administration, Police department and social media handles. Regular updates on road conditions are being provided by the district administration and Himachal Police so that tourists do not face any inconvenience during their stay in the state. Tourist's safety and enjoyment are our top priorities, he said. He reiterated the state government's commitment to ensure that visitors travel safe and enjoy their holidays at various destinations in Himachal Pradesh. He said that the Public Works Department (PWD) is working diligently to clear any road blockades and restore travel swiftly. The department of Tourism and Civil Aviation is also encouraging tourists to check for updates on specific routes so as to have smooth travel. Following the opening of the all-weather Atal Tunnel in 2020, the longest tunnel in the world at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the number of homestays near the tourist destinations, particularly Lahaul and Spiti have sprung up from 74 to 718. This sudden surge is mainly due to many locals registering their traditional-style houses as homestays. One of the notable hotspots of such homestays is the Kandaghat-Sadhupul area. According to officials, as many as 4,289 homestays have been registered with the tourism department of the state. The Kullu district is leading with the highest number of homestays at 1,040, followed by Shimla with 805. Manasi Sahay Thakur, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation said that the tourist footfall in the state has increased as compared to last year. This has happened despite the harsh monsoon last year... the state government has proactively built infrastructure as the major focus is on infrastructure development and improving inter and intra-state connectivity through the construction of heliports, she said. Besides it took measures to build confidence in tourists which is why the tourist inflow increased... despite a hit during the pandemic times now our tourist inflow is almost at the pre-Covid level, she added. Another reason for the tourist rush is the heat wave this year, Sahay pointed out. Sahay also attributed the increased flow of tourists to the increasing number of homestays in the state. She added that the authorities are working to have smooth traffic through the Atal Tunnel.
