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Tourist surge chokes Manali as over 33,000 vehicles enter, snowfall forecast from December 30

CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the New Year, tourist footfall has seen a sharp rise in Kullu Manali and adjoining regions of Himachal Pradesh, with the tourist season currently at its peak. The surge has led to massive traffic jams across the hill region, with thousands of vehicles arriving daily. In just the past week, from December 21 to 27, as many as 13,240 tourist vehicles from other states crossed into Manali, while 34,426 vehicles passed through the Atal Tunnel on the Manali Leh highway during the same period, indicating a substantial rise in tourist movement towards Lahaul and Spiti. A large number of visitors are reportedly fleeing toxic fumes in Delhi and the plains, even as snowfall and rain are expected from December 30. As per figures available with the police, recorded at the Green Barrier in Manali, 2,188 vehicles crossed the barrier on December 27 (Saturday). A day earlier, on December 26, 2,437 vehicles crossed, while on Christmas Day, December 25, the number stood at 2,910. This takes the total number of vehicles from December 21 to 27 to 13,420. The number of vehicles has been steadily rising, with 7,795 vehicles recorded from December 15 to 21, 7,162 vehicles from December 8 to 14, and 5,306 vehicles from December 1 to 7. In total, from December 1 to December 27, as many as 33,503 vehicles crossed into Manali. The heavy tourist rush has triggered traffic jams in Manali, particularly at the entrance to the town, on the route to the Hadimba Temple, the Old Manali road, in Prini, Aleo and Vashisht villages, and along the Manali Leh highway towards the Atal Tunnel and Rohtang Pass. At the scenic Atal Tunnel, 6,848 vehicles entered on December 27, while on Friday, December 26, the number peaked at 7,237, the highest so far this season. On Christmas Day, 4,752 vehicles passed through the tunnel. A total of 34,426 vehicles entered the tunnel from December 21 to 27. The rising trend is evident from earlier weeks as well, with 16,622 vehicles recorded from December 1 to 7, 20,710 from December 8 to 14, and 24,497 from December 15 to 21. In 2023, a record breaking 14,865 vehicles from outside the state flooded Manali and entered the Atal Tunnel on Christmas Day, sparking traffic snarls across the entire region. Traffic congestion has also been reported in Tirthan Valley and on National Highway 305 from Aut to Jalori Jot in the Banjar subdivision of Kullu district. Popular tourist destinations such as Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and Shinkula Pass have emerged as major hubs of tourist activity. Increasing numbers of visitors are now venturing beyond Manali to experience scenic landscapes, adventure sports and panoramic views of the Himalayas, adding to the festive atmosphere in the region. The surge in tourism has boosted the morale of hoteliers, transporters and adventure operators in Kullu Manali and Lahaul Spiti. After encouraging business during the Christmas period, stakeholders are optimistic that tourist numbers will rise further during the New Year celebrations. A majority of hotels have reported full bookings for Christmas, and New Year reservations continue to rise steadily. The tourism industry believes that if the current trend continues, Manali could be operating at full capacity on New Years Eve. Talking to this newspaper, the President of the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Association and former president of the Hoteliers Association Manali, Gajender Thakur, said that there are 45,000 rooms across hotels, homestays and B&Bs in Manali, with a total occupancy capacity of 90,000 tourists. At present, we are running at 95 per cent full capacity for the last fifteen days and this will continue till January 5. After 2023, we have again seen such a tourist footfall, he said. He added that online queries and advance bookings for hotel rooms in Manali had increased significantly in recent days, reflecting growing tourist interest. The hill state, which is currently experiencing a prolonged dry spell, is expected to receive fresh snowfall and rainfall from December 30 onwards, bringing cheer to tourists as well as locals. According to the state Meteorological Department, a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from December 30. As a result, middle and higher hill areas of the state are expected to witness light snowfall and rainfall at isolated places from December 30 to January 1. Lower hill regions and plain areas of the state are very likely to witness dense fog during early mornings and late evenings. The department has issued an orange warning for Bilaspur and Mandi districts till December 29, after which a yellow warning will remain in place till December 31 for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

Kullu bans public entry near water bodies during winter tourism season

Shimla, Manali or Kullu trip on cards? IMD issues dense fog warning for Himachal Pradesh starting today. Check latest weather forecast

Shimla Himachal Pradesh weather: Himachal Pradesh is likely to experience dense fog conditions from December 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said in its daily weather bulletin. As far as Shimla is concerned, the hill city is likely to see partly cloudy sky today and dense fog during the night hours.

Bigg Boss 19: Kullu, Sumaira, and Gurleen Spread Laughter on This Open Mic Night

This special episode was a hilarious respite from the usual drama and provided a very different look into the housemates.

Fresh Snowfall In High Altitude Areas Of Himachal

Shimla, Nov 5: Fresh snowfall was recorded in high altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, bringing cheers to the locals and tourists who braved extreme cold conditions. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti and the higher reaches of Kinnaur, Kullu and mountain passes received fresh snowfall, causing a drop in mercury and creating chilly weather in adjoining valleys. Videos of the snowfall have surfaced on the internet. The Lahaul valley, Rohtang Pass and other higher reaches were wrapped [] The post Fresh Snowfall In High Altitude Areas Of Himachal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Australian paraglider who crashed near Seven Sisters Peak in Manali rescued after 20 hours

CHANDIGARH: A 51-year-old Australian paraglider, Andy, who crashed yesterday evening near the Seven Sisters Peak located at an altitude of 13,500 feet in the Manali subdivision of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, has been rescued after 20 hours. Sources said that the paraglider Andy, hailing from Australia, is believed to have crashed due to air pressure and adverse weather conditions. A paraglider pilot flying with him witnessed the accident and informed the rescue team, requesting assistance. Ramesh Kumar Jogi, in charge of the rescue team of the Manali Adventure Tour Association, said that Andy, who was lying on a dangerous and narrow ledge on a high mountain, was finally rescued with the help of a chopper. He is now being treated at the hospital and is out of danger. Both the pilots had come from Bir Billing in Kangra district to Manali and were flying back to Bir Billing when the crash took place. A rescue team was dispatched immediately on Monday evening to rescue Andy, who was trapped in the inaccessible hills. Andy's close call isn't rare, as paragliding accidents at popular sites like Bir Billing in Himachal have been taking place, with recent incidents involving flyers from Canada, Austria, and Russia, too. A few days ago, Megan Elizabeth, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider who had gone missing, was found dead, while a 47-year-old Austrian paraglider, Jacob, was rescued from the high mountains of the Dhauladhar range. In the last five years, 26 paragliding crashes have been reported in Kangra and Mandi districts of the hill state, resulting in the death of 12 paragliders, including foreign nationals, and injury to many. In some incidents, neither the pilot nor the glider could be located.

Fresh snowfall transforms Himachals high altitudes into winter wonderland

SHIMLA, Oct 23: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh are draped in a white blanket since last night as fresh snowfall brought a spectacular transformation to the states mountainous landscapes, delighting tourists and locals alike. Snowfall began suddenly yesterday, covering both ends of the Atal Tunnel Rohtang and blanketing the valleys of Lahaul and Pangi. While Kullu witnessed heavy rainfall, Lahaul recorded its second major snowfall of the season. However, the wintry charm also brought disruptions. Vehicular movement has been [] The post Fresh snowfall transforms Himachals high altitudes into winter wonderland appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Canadian paraglider found dead, Australian rescued from Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: Megan Elizabeth, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider who had gone missing, was found dead, while a 47-year-old Austrian paraglider, Jacob, was rescued from the high mountains of the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh in the last 48 hours. Both paragliders had flown in separately from the international Bir-Billing paragliding site in Kangra district and encountered emergencies at different locations. Elizabeth, who was a solo flier, had taken off from Billing and was expected to land at Chogan. However, she was not familiar with the topography of the Dhauladhar region and lost her route and crashed near Talan Jot, north of the Himani Chamunda temple, at an altitude of about 3,900 metres. Megan Elizabeth was an experienced solo flier. She had taken off from Billing and was expected to land Chogan but lost en route, said Anurag Sharma, President of Billing Paragliding Association. The Baijnath authorities, with the help of climbers and volunteers from the Bir Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), had launched a rescue operation on Sunday. Rahul Singh, a member of the rescue team, was the first to be air-dropped into the area on Sunday evening. He reached the crash site later that night and found the paraglider unresponsive. Elizabeth had likely died due to exposure to extreme cold and injuries sustained during the landing on rocky terrain. Five more members of the rescue team were flown in yesterday morning, and they relocated the body about 500 metres uphill from the crash site to facilitate airlifting. Sources said that her body was brought to Gaggal Airport and will be handed over to the Canadian Embassy after the post-mortem. Another SOS was received from an Australian paraglider, Jacob, who was stranded at an elevation of about 3,302 meters in the mountains of Polling-Barot valley in Kullu district, said sources. He was rescued and dropped off at Chogan in Bir. In the last five years, 26 paragliding crashes have been reported in Kangra and Mandi districts of the hill state, resulting in the death of 12 paragliders, including foreign nationals, and injury to many. In some incidents, neither the pilot nor the glider could be located.

Is This India's New Foodie Duo? Anshula & Kullu Hunt for the Creamiest Sandwiches

Some celebrity duos serve glamour, others serve gossip but this one is serving sandwiches, and theyve quickly become the new talk of the town. Kapoor khandan ki beti Anshula Kapoor and the internets funny man Aaditya Kulshreshth (a.k.a Kullu) have joined forces for what they call a very tasty mission of tracking down Mumbais best sandwiches. When the hunt for creaminess gets serious - Anshula & Kullu take the sandwich game up a notch! In a move that had fans instantly intrigued, both swapped their social media display pictures for quirky Taste Bud icons and updated their bios to match. Anshula now introduces herself as Full-time Taste Bud. On my way to find citys tastiest sandwiches, while Kullu proudly declares, Taste Bud here. Findingcitystastiest sandwiches. SandwichEnthu+FlavourDetector. The mystery didnt stop there. Soon after, each set out individually, sampling some of most iconic sandwiches across the city to find the creamiest sandwich. From Bombay Masala Toast to everyones favourite Vada Pav, they showcased a running commentary through reels on Mumbais most favourite sandwiches, giving their verdict on the creaminess of these sandwiches. Speculation, of course, is sizzling. Is this the start of an OTT food travel series? A cross-country street-food challenge? Or simply the quirkiest foodie collab of the year? Fans are already tossing out theories, with one commenting, Move over, food bloggers - theres a new sandwich squad in town, and another cheekily asking, Whats the tea or should we say, spread? While the self-styled Taste Buds are keeping things deliciously mysterious, one thing is clear: the hunt for Mumbai best sandwich powered by Hellmanns has officially begun, and the internet is hungry for more.

Is This India's New Foodie Duo Anshula & Kullu Hunt for the Creamiest Sandwiches

While the self-styled Taste Buds are keeping things deliciously mysterious, one thing is clear: the hunt for Mumbai' best sandwich powered by Hellmann's has officially begun, and the internet is hungry for more.

Kullu Dussehra concludes with Rath Yatra; Rs 200 crore to be spent on water facilities, says Dy CM

SHIMLA, Oct 8: The week-long International Kullu Dussehra celebrations, offering glimpses of divine culture and ancient traditions, concluded on Wednesday with the Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath and Lanka Dahan (burning of Lanka). Over 260 deities who attended the Kullu Dussehra returned to their respective temples, promising to meet again next year after Lord Raghunath departed for his temple at Raghunathpur on his chariot following Lanka Dahan. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who attended the closing ceremony of the festival [] The post Kullu Dussehra concludes with Rath Yatra; Rs 200 crore to be spent on water facilities, says Dy CM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal welcomes seasons first snowfall

CHANDIGARH: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including Rohtang Pass and Dhauladhar ranges, received the seasons first snowfall on Sunday morning, leading to a drop in the minimum temperature. The Kullu district administration has suspended vehicular traffic to Rohtang Pass and advised commuters not to venture through this highway. A fresh spell of mild snowfall on the Dhauladhar ranges and overnight rainfall in parts of Kangra and Chamba districts brought a dip in temperatures across several hill towns of the hill state ushering in early winter-like conditions. As Dharamsala, McLeodganj, Kangra, Palampur, Dalhousie, Chamba and Bharmour witnessed a significant change in weather, with a sudden chill replacing the warm sunshine of the past few days. Intermittent showers continued through the morning in several parts of the region, leading to the formation of dense fog that blanketed the upper reaches of the mountains. Strong icy winds swept the higher and mid hills of the state followed by severe thunderstorm, lightning and intermittent rains. Also, there were reports of uprooting of trees due to storm and heavy downpour from several parts of the state. According to the Meteorological Department, Dharamsala and its twin town McLeodganj recorded 25.5 mm of rainfall during the night, while Palampur received 10.2 mm, Kangra 18.4 mm and Chamba 4 mm, Brahmani 26.4, Nangal Dam 23 mm, Malraon 22, Bilaspur 20.4 mm and Nainadevi 18.1 mm. Thunderstorm was witnessed in Kufri, Jot, Murari devi, Sundernagar, Bhunter, Kangra and Shimla while gusty winds with velocity of 30 to 61 Kmph lashed Reckongpeo, Tabo, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Sundernagar and Kukumseri. The minimum temperatures dropped by one to three degrees across HP and Tabo was coldest with a low of 3.1 degrees, followed by Keylong 3.6 degrees, Kalpa and Kukumseri 6.2 degrees and Kufri and Narkanda 10 degrees each. An orange alert has been issued warning of hail, heavy to very rain, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 50 kmph at isolated places in six districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts on October 6.

Himachal Pradesh sees fresh snowfall and thunderstorms

CHANDIGARH: The high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Rohtang Pass and the Dhauladhar ranges, received fresh snowfall on Sunday morning, bringing down the minimum temperature. The Kullu district administration has suspended vehicular traffic to Rohtang Pass and urged commuters to avoid using the highway. A fresh spell of mild snowfall over the Dhauladhar ranges, along with overnight rainfall in parts of Kangra and Chamba districts, has led to a drop in temperatures across several hill towns, ushering in early winter-like conditions. Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Kangra, Palampur, Dalhousie, Chamba, and Bharmour experienced a sudden change in weather, with a sharp chill replacing the warm sunshine of the past few days. Intermittent showers continued through the morning in many parts of the region, causing thick fog to cover the higher mountain areas. Strong winds swept the higher and mid hills of the state, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and intermittent rain. Several reports also came in of trees being uprooted due to the storm and heavy rainfall across the state. According to the Meteorological Department, Dharamshala and its twin town McLeodganj recorded 25.5 mm of rainfall during the night, while Palampur received 10.2 mm, Kangra 18.4 mm and Chamba 4 mm, Brahmani 26.4, Nangal Dam 23 mm, Malraon 22, Bilaspur 20.4 mm and Nainadevi 18.1 mm. Thunderstorm was witnessed in Kufri, Jot, Murari devi, Sundernagar, Bhunter, Kangra and Shimla while gusty winds with velocity of 30 to 61 kmph lashed Reckongpeo, Tabo, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Sundernagar and Kukumseri. Minimum temperatures fell by one to three degrees across the state. Tabo was the coldest at 3.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Keylong at 3.6 degrees Celsius. Kalpa and Kukumseri recorded 6.2 degrees Celsius each, while Kufri and Narkanda saw 10 degrees Celsius. The weather office has issued an orange alert for October 6, warning of hail, heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph in isolated areas across six districts: Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Lahaul and Spiti. Tourist inflow has increased following the withdrawal of the monsoon, which had caused havoc in the state, resulting in losses of over Rs 4,800 crore. Shimla saw a rise in visitors, with a large number of foreign tourists spotted in the city.

Higher reaches of Himachal receive snowfall

SHIMLA, Oct 5: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including Rohtang Pass and Dhauladhar ranges, received the seasons fresh snowfall on Sunday morning, leading to a drop in the minimum temperature. The Kullu district administration has suspended vehicular traffic to Rohtang Pass and advised commuters not to venture through this highway, officials said. Strong icy winds swept the higher and mid hills of the state early Sunday, followed by severe thunderstorm, lightning and intermittent rains. The sprawling Dhauladhar ranges [] The post Higher reaches of Himachal receive snowfall appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal: Kullu police to use AI for surveillance during international Dussehra festival

SHIMLA, Sep 30: The Kullu police will deploy artificial intelligence for surveillance during the International Kullu Dussehra, with anti-goon squads in place and special measures taken to prevent pickpocketing and ensure a beggar-free festival. About 1,200 police personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order and ensure security during the celebrations, scheduled from Vijay Dashmi on October 2 to October 8 in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu district, officials said on Tuesday. For the first time, the police will use AI-based [] The post Himachal: Kullu police to use AI for surveillance during international Dussehra festival appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Security stepped up for Kullu Dussehra in Himachal festival from Oct 2

About 45 lakh people visit the seven-day festival celebrated at the Dhalpur ground in Kullu town

Himachal Pradesh: Kangana Ranaut faces protests during visit to flood-hit Manali

CHANDIGARH: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut faced protests during her visit to Manali following the recent landslides triggered by cloudbursts and heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. As Kangana, the MP from Mandi, visited the Patlikuhal area, angry locals chanted slogans such as Kangana Go Back and You Are Late , expressing frustration over her delayed visit to assess the destruction caused by the natural disaster. Some reportedly asked her to leave the area. Tensions escalated as heated arguments broke out between the locals and BJP leaders accompanying Kangana. Police had to intervene to restore order. Viral videos from the scene show residents holding black flags and shouting slogans near the carcade of the actor-politician in Patlikuhal, clearly voicing their displeasure. In one such video, Kangana is seen responding emotionally to the backlash: My restaurant is also here, and it made a sale of only Rs 50 yesterday. We pay Rs 15 lakh in salaries alone, and we could only do Rs 50 worth of business. Imagine what I must be going through. Please understand my pain. I am a Himachali. I am a single woman. Dont attack me as if Im doing nothing. Dont treat me like Im the Queen of England, she said. Kangana also appeared to shift focus toward the Congress-led state government, saying: We are here to assess what work has been done and what the state government has actually done. During an interaction with a woman who attempted to question her about the flood situation, Kangana responded sharply: Have you come to attack me or question me? If you come to harass us, how will we be able to work? Earlier in the day, Kangana visited disaster-affected areas of Solang and Palchan in the Manali subdivision. She interacted with affected residents and took stock of the situation. BJP leader and former MLA from Manali, Govind Singh Thakur, briefed her on the infrastructure damage and other losses. He informed that families from 15 to 16 damaged houses had been shifted to safer locations. The Right Bank Road of Manali, which connects Kullu city, the bus stand, and Bindu Dhank, has suffered extensive damage. In Kullus Ramshele area, a house was destroyed. Floodwaters entered homes in the 14 Mile area near Manali, and a fish farm was damaged in Patlikuhal, as rivers and drains overflowed. Locals informed Kangana that the entire Solang village is at risk of sliding, as the Beas River continues to erode the mountain it sits on. They stressed that the only solution is to divert the rivers course by channelizing the water.

Kangana Ranaut visits rain-hit areas in Himachal Pradesh; locals show black flags, shout slogans: 'Go back, you are late'

Heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods at several places in Kullu and Manali on August 25 and August 26.

Two accused of firing at Disha Patani's home killed in encounter

In a recent development, the two accused involved in the firing incident outside actress Disha Patani's father's residence in Bareilly have died following an encounter with Delhi Police and UP STF in Ghaziabad. Ravinda alias Kullu and Arun, linked to gangsters Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara, sustained injuries during the operation and later succumbed.

Manali Highway Update: When Will The Route To Lahaul-Spiti, Leh Be Fully Open?

The Kitarpur to Kullu road is now open for traffic, and work is in progress to fully restore the Manali route, with authorities speeding up efforts to ensure smooth connectivity

Himachal monsoon havoc: 574 roads shut, 389 transformers and 333 water schemes hit; death toll 394, says SDMA

Himachal Pradesh faces severe challenges due to the ongoing monsoon. Many roads are blocked and power and water supplies are disrupted. The death toll has risen significantly since June. Authorities are working to restore essential services. Union Minister Savitri Thakur assessed the damage in Kullu-Manali. Efforts are underway to repair roads and provide relief to affected people.

Himachal apple farmers in dire straits as monsoon wreaks havoc

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh's Rs 5000 crore apple industry have been badly affected after the monsoon wreaked havoc in the state. The quality of the fruit has significantly dropped due to a fungal disease, which is causing the leaves and apples to fall prematurely. Hence, there are more culled apples. The apple growers couldn't transport their crops as the road connectivity was badly affected due to landslides trigerred by flash-floods, heavy rains and cloudbursts. It is estimated that there will be a huge loss to the apple growers. The road connectivity in the apple belts of the state has been affected. The apple growers in Kullu, Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi, Chamba, and upper Shimla are facing an uphill task in sending apples as hundreds of damaged roads are still to be repaired. In many areas, farmers are hiring workers to manually carry apple boxes across a damaged stretch of the roads and highway, thus raising the cost of transportation. In Kinnaur, the frequent closure of National Highway 5 at Nigulsari has created problems for the farmers of the district. There are scores of villages in Parvati and Banjar valleys where farmers had started harvesting but had to stop midway last month after the road connectivity was lost. On the other hand, the market rates have dropped to their lowest as the traders are reluctant to buy from local markets in Kullu and Mandi because the Kiratpur-Manali highway remained mostly blocked in August, resulting in a drop in the market rates. Over 1.57 crore apple boxes have been marketed within and outside the state until now. The number of marketed boxes would have been higher if the roads were not blocked or washed in various parts of the apple belt. Last year's data, till September 11, shows that 1.13 crore boxes reached the market. This year's high production, which is 45 lakh more boxes than last year, could be attributed to high production in the lower apple belts of the state, which has been nearly three times higher this year as compared to last year. Cloudburst in Himachals Bilaspur; several vehicles buried in debris, farms damaged As till August 20 this year, over 88 lakh boxes had been marketed. In the corresponding period last year, only around 32.6 lakh boxes had been marketed. The harvesting in the lower belts normally ends by August 15. Talking to TNIE , Sanyukt Kisan Manch (SKM) Himachal Pradesh, convener Harish Chauhan said that the apple season is at its peak, but as the roads had been blocked due to landslides, the apples could not be transported from the orchards to the market and in many instances, the apple crop got rotten lying in the orchards or in the trucks. Now, slowly, the road connectivity is opening up. The apple growers have suffered major losses this season, much worse than the 2023 natural disaster. The farmers could not send their crop to the market for days as roads were blocked, due to heavy rainfall, and a fungal disease attack had caused apples and leaves to fall prematurely. The final data will come later once the situation is completely assessed. But it is estimated that around 40 per cent of the apples fell in all the orchards across the state and about 60 to 70 per cent leaves fell, he claims. Chauhan says that due to the fungal disease and the premature drop, the `A grade apples, which cost between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2000 a box in the market, now cost Rs 700 to Rs 800. The apples are now marked in 'B' or 'C' category as stains have appeared on them due to premature fall, small size and faded colour. Due to all these factors it is estimated that the apple growers might suffer a loss of Rs 800 to Rs 1000 crore, but final figures can be confirmed after the complete report, he claimed. Sources said that around 43,930 MT of apples have been bought under the Market Intervention Scheme until now through 227 collection centres opened in various parts of the apple growing area. The apples bought through MIS until now are significantly higher compared to the corresponding period last year, when just a little over 15,000 MT apple were procured. The heavy hail and premature leaf fall are the major reasons behind such a spike in the procurement of culled apples this year. Last year, around 2.11 crore boxes of apples this year it was expected to be more than 3 lakh boxes but now it is estimated that around 2.50 to 3 crore boxes. Meanwhile, under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) around 43,000 metric tonnes of apples (`C and `D grade) have been bought and the figure might touch 50,000 MT. These apples are brought by the state government at Rs 12 per Kg and then pulp and juice is taken out and are also auctioned, Chauhan said. Another leading apple grower, Rakesh Singha, said, The apple season this year is the historically worst as in early April hailstorms came, and at that time the apple crops blossomed thus it was affected then in May heavy rains started. Also, two fungal diseases: Alternaria and Marssonina attacked the crop, thus the leaves of the fruit did not develop. This year's record apple crop has gone into the MIS. On the other hand, the production cost has been very high due to the fact that growers use sprays to save the crop and high transportation charges. While Hemis Negi, Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board (HPAAMB) said that so far at least 1.61 crore boxes have reached the market of these 1.02 crore in Shimla and Kinnaur markets and 23.45 lakh cantons in Solan.

Two killed as car falls into gorge in Himachal's Shimla

SHIMLA: At least two people were killed after their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Chopal subdivision of Shimla district late Friday, police said. The accident took place on the Dur-Diyandli road while the duo was returning home, they said. The bodies were retrieved by police with the help of villagers. A search operation is underway to confirm whether anyone else was in the ill-fated vehicle, they said. While police are ascertaining the cause of the accident, the local residents claimed that the spot is prone to accidents. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20 till September 12, as many as 168 people have died in road accidents in the state. A maximum of 28 deaths were reported in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 25 in Shimla and 23 in Kullu district.

PM Modi surveys flood-hit Punjab, Himachal amid bomb threat at medical college

Chandigarh, Sept 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a crucial visit to flood-affected regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today to assess the widespread damage caused by recent floods. Arriving at Pathankot Airbase from Delhi, he proceeded by helicopter to conduct an aerial survey of the hardest-hit areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu, Mandi, [] The post PM Modi surveys flood-hit Punjab, Himachal amid bomb threat at medical college appeared first on Northlines .

PM Modi Reviews Flood, Landslide Damage in Himachal, Visits Kangra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took stock of the flood and landslides situation in Himachal Pradesh and reached Kangra after conducting an aerial survey of disaster-hit Mandi and Kullu districts.

Watch: PM Modi conducts aerial survey in flood-hit Himachal; to visit Punjab next

Prime Minister Narendra Modi surveyed flood-ravaged areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi and Kullu, following heavy monsoon rains. He then proceeded to Punjab for a similar assessment. Review meetings were held with officials and affected residents in both states, addressing the devastation and coordinating relief efforts. The floods have caused significant fatalities and displacement in both regions.

1,181 power lines disrupted, 820 roads damaged due to heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh: SDMA

Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh have caused widespread damage, disrupting power lines, water supply schemes, and road connectivity. Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla are among the most affected districts, with hundreds of roads blocked and water schemes disrupted. The relentless downpour has hampered restoration efforts, and the death toll from rain-related incidents has tragically reached 366.

PM Modi to visit Himachal on Sept 9 to assess rain-inflicted damage: Former CM Jairam Thakur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Himachal Pradesh on September 9 to assess the extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall. The state is grappling with widespread disruptions, including numerous blocked roads and power outages. Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla are among the worst-affected districts, with a significant number of road closures and damaged power transformers.

Himachal Pradesh faces Rs 4,079 crore loss following rain-related disasters

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh has suffered a loss of Rs 4,079 crore following rain-related incidents in the state. The heavy rainfall in this monsoon season which started from June 20 triggered 45 cloudbursts, 95 flash floods and 135 major landslides. As per the data from the State Emergency Operation Centre, 366 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents in the state. Out of these, 203 died in rain-related incidents, including 42 in landslides, 17 in cloudbursts and nine in flash floods, 41 are still missing. 163 died in road accidents. A total of 6,025 houses and 455 shops or factories have been fully or partially damaged. A total of 869 roads, including three national highways, Mandi-Dharampur road, Old Hindustan-Tibet road and Aut-Sainj road, are blocked. A maximum number of 227 roads were blocked in Kullu, followed by 191 in Mandi, 154 in Shimla and 116 in Chamba. Rains batter Himachal: Seven killed as houses buried under landslide; over 1,150 roads closed The Shimla-Theog road in the heart of the apple belt in Shimla district is closed near Chaila since Saturday due to continuous landslides in the area, and a large number of vehicles, including apple-laden trucks and tempos, are stranded en route. Also, 1,572 power transformers and 389 water supply schemes were disrupted. Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations in Bharmaur-Manimahesh in Chamba district were called off yesterday. A total of 17 devotees have died since the Manimahesh yatra started on August 15. The IMD had issued yellow warnings of thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of the state on Sunday and Monday. The state had received an average rainfall of 943.2 mm from June 1 to September 6 against the normal rainfall of 648.1 mm, an excess of 46 per cent. Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has established a dedicated Chief Justice Disaster Relief Fund 2025 and appealed for voluntary contributions not just from institutions but also from individuals across the judicial and legal fraternity to help the people. Himachal Pradesh declared disaster-affected state by CM Sukhu

Himachal: Monsoon death toll stands at 366, state faces widespread destruction

Himachal Pradesh is facing significant disruptions due to the relentless monsoon, with 866 roads blocked, including three National Highways, as of September 7, 2025. Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla are the worst-hit districts. Power supply is severely affected, with 1,572 Distribution Transformers out of order, and 389 water supply schemes are disrupted, mainly in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu.

Himachal Landslide: Bodies of 2 Kashmiris recovered, rescue ops on

Srinagar, Sep 5: Rescue teams in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu district recovered the bodies of two Kashmiri residents following a massive landslide in the Inner Akhara Bazaar, officials said on Friday. The landslide, triggered by heavy monsoon rains on Thursday morning, flattened residential houses and buried several people under debris. An official said that the bodies [] The post Himachal Landslide: Bodies of 2 Kashmiris recovered, rescue ops on appeared first on Northlines .

Himachal CM urges BJP MPs to push Centre for forest land allocation, special relief package

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the BJP and its Members of Parliament to seek the Central Governments support for approving the allotment of one bigha of forest land per disaster-affected family, along with a special relief package. He pointed out that 68 per cent of the states land is categorised as forest land, and without the Centres approval, the state government cannot provide such land. CM Sukhu also said that the state government has prepared a project worth Rs 3,000 crore to obtain assistance from the World Bank for disaster management and rehabilitation. The Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of disaster-affected areas in Kullu and Manali districts. During his visit to Kullu, CM Sukhu reviewed the damage caused by flash floods and cloudbursts in various regions and interacted with affected families, assuring them of all possible assistance from the state government. The state government is extending assistance to affected families from its own limited resources, as no support has so far been received from the Central Government. We have requested the Centre to provide one bigha of forest land to each affected family to help them resettle in safer locations, CM Sukhu said. He further urged BJP MPs to press the Central Government for approval of this request and for the sanction of a special relief package. BJP leaders are active only on social media, but they have done nothing on the ground for the disaster-hit people. On the other hand, Congress leaders are reaching out to the people and working to alleviate the hardships caused by the disaster, he remarked. CM Sukhu said that the state government has prepared a 3,000 crore project to secure World Bank assistance for disaster management and rehabilitation of affected families. One dead, 5 missing as landslides triggered by heavy rains wreak havoc in Himachal The Chief Minister added that this years monsoon had caused widespread devastation across the state, resulting in heavy loss of life and property. During the past four days, rainfall has caused further damage in various parts of the state. The government is extending every possible support to those affected and has directed district administrations to provide maximum assistance to affected families, he said. CM Sukhu informed that the administration had deployed Army Chinook and MI-17 helicopters to rescue devotees stranded during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district. A total of 605 devotees were safely evacuated from Bharmour and transported free of cost to their destinations in HRTC buses on Thursday, he said. The government has also cancelled all examinations in the state due to adverse weather and road conditions. He said the government was also making efforts to transport the produce of farmers and orchardists from disaster-affected regions to the markets. At present, the top priority is to restore roads and ensure essential services such as electricity and water supply at the earliest. Families whose houses have been completely destroyed are being provided with financial assistance of 7.70 lakh by the state government. Compensation will also be given for the loss of livestock, CM Sukhu added. The Chief Minister departed for Kullu from Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla in an Air Force helicopter, carrying rations and essential supplies. He inspected damaged roads, bridges and private properties at Vashisth Chowk, Manali, Bahang and Old Manali. He also visited devastation sites at Akhara Bazaar in Kullu, where heavy landslides buried several houses, causing deaths. CM Sukhu instructed the administration to accelerate relief and rescue operations and directed BRO officials to restore the damaged road at the earliest. He also inspected the damaged Bhootnath and Bhuntar bridges during the visit.

India rains LIVE: Floods ravage Jammus Ramban district; swelling Beas river causes alarm in Himachals Kullu

Yamuna water level in Delhi starts to recede

11 buried under debris in Kullu, landslides hit HP

CHANDIGARH: Around eleven people were buried under heavy debris and mud after a landslide struck Inner Akhara bazaar in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh early Thursday. One body has been recovered, and four injured persons rescued. Search is on for the six others still trapped. The landslide struck two houses in the congested Inner Akhara bazaar locality in Kullu in the early hours while the residents were asleep. Officials from the District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and district administration are supervising the rescue operations despite the inclement weather and terrain. Kulu DC Torul S. Raveesh, said the landslide was triggered by incessant rain. The body of one person has been recovered, and of the four people rescued but injured, three were admitted to the Regional Hospital in Kullu for treatment, and one was referred to the medical college. The search for the remaining six is going on as the rescue teams are clearing the debris, she said. On Wednesday, a separate landslide occurred in the same area, burying two people under debris. Rescue teams have not yet found them, but the search continues. In a grim reminder of the disasters scale, an NDRF jawan, who was buried under debris on Wednesday, was pulled out alive after 24 hours but remains in critical condition. The administration is urging people to remain alert and avoid travel to high-risk zones. Several areas across the state have reported similar incidents, resulting in severe damage to both public infrastructure and private properties. Meanwhile, a landslide in Shimla has resulted in deodar trees falling on houses in the Benmore area, which houses government quarters and bungalows of ministers and judges. The retaining wall, which had collapsed a fortnight back, slid further, causing more damage to the road and endangering the safety of nearby houses. The water level at the Pong Dam on Thursday morning reached 1,394.51 feet, the highest level recorded this year and above the maximum mark of 1,390 feet, for the fifth consecutive day. Army comes to rescue of pregnant woman in Jammu Army personnel walked 18 km at night to rescue a full-term pregnant woman in labour in Jammus Ramkot village. She was airlifted to the military hospital. In another incident, an elderly woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was rescued by the Flood Relief Team of Kharga Sappers from the flood-affected Sammoval village in Punjab.

Himachal rain fury: Landslip in Kullu leaves 1 dead, 6 buried

A total of 1,212 roads are closed in Himachal Pradesh, of which 289 were blocked in Mandi, 231 in Kullu, 211 in Shimla, 192 in Chamba district

Seven J&K workers feared dead in Himachal landslide

HP CM, LG Sinha, Omar express grief, assure support Srinagar, Sep 4:At least seven residents fromKashmirare feared dead after a massive landslide hit Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the landslide at Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu. Sukhu said rescue operations [] The post Seven J&K workers feared dead in Himachal landslide appeared first on Northlines .

Six Kashmiri labourers feared dead as landslide hits Himachal's Kullu; J&K LG, CM react

At least six labourers from Kashmir's Ganderbal district are feared dead after a massive landslide struck their rented accommodation in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu on Thursday morning. Officials said incessant rains triggered the mudslide, leaving the men trapped while they were asleep.

Kullu landslides: Six people trapped under landslide debris; houses damaged

7 Kashmiris feared dead after landslide hits Himachals Kullu

Srinagar, Sept 04 : At least seven reaidents from Kashmir are feared dead after a massive landslide hit Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. An official told news agency that rescue operations are on and that all victims are residents of Tulail, Bandipora, who were working as labourers in Himachal. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said a landslide in Kullu led to the collapse of two houses, leaving around 1213 persons feared trapped. An NDRF [] The post 7 Kashmiris feared dead after landslide hits Himachals Kullu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

One dead, 5 missing as landslides triggered by heavy rains wreak havoc in Himachal

CHANDIGARH: At least nine people were buried under heavy debris and mud after a landslide struck Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh early today. One body has been recovered, three injured persons rescued, and the search for five others is ongoing. The landslide struck around two houses in the congested Inner Akhara Bazaar locality in Kullu early this morning, as residents were asleep, causing widespread panic. Personnel from the District Disaster Management Authority, local police, and district administration are carrying out rescue operations to locate the five people still trapped under the debris. The rescue teams have been working tirelessly, but operations have been hampered due to inclement weather and precarious terrain. Talking to TNIE , Superintendent of Police of Kullu, Kathikeyan Gokulachandran, said that the landslide, triggered by incessant rain, occurred in Inner Akhara Bazaar and buried two to three houses. While the body of one person has been recovered, three critically injured people have been rushed to the Regional Hospital in Kullu for treatment. The search for the remaining five, including three Kashmiri laborers and a woman, is ongoing as rescue teams continue clearing the debris, he said. Yesterday, another landslide occurred in the same area, burying two people under debris. Rescue teams have so far been unable to trace them, despite ongoing search operations. An NDRF jawan who got buried under debris yesterday was pulled out alive after 24 hours but remains in critical condition. The administration has issued warnings to locals in vulnerable areas and urged people to remain alert and avoid travel to high-risk zones. Several areas across the state have reported similar incidents, resulting in severe damage to both public infrastructure and private property. Meanwhile, a landslide in Shimla caused deodar trees to fall on houses in the Benmore area, where government quarters and bungalows of some ministers and judges are situated. The retaining wall, which had collapsed a fortnight ago, slid down, causing further damage to the road and endangering the safety of the houses in the area. Rains batter Himachal: Seven killed as houses buried under landslide; over 1,150 roads closed The water level at the Pong Dam this morning touched 1,394.51 feet, the highest level recorded this year, above the maximum mark of 1,390 feet for the fifth consecutive day. The average inflow was 1,32,595 cusecs, while the actual inflow was 1,07,301 cusecs. The average outflow was 91,167 cusecs. To regulate the rising water level, Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB) authorities released 99,769 cusecs downstream, including 74,179 cusecs through the spillway and 16,988 cusecs through turbines. According to the Meteorological Department, Himachal has received 62 per cent more rainfall than normal this season. Against a normal of 632 mm between June 1 and September 3, the state has recorded 921 mm. Shimla district alone has seen 110 per cent excess rainfall, while Kullu registered 107 per cent above normal. Other districts, including Bilaspur, Solan, Una, and Mandi, have also received far higher than average rainfall. As many as 1,286 roads, including six National Highways, remain blocked due to landslides triggered by the heavy downpour, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre. The distribution across districts is: 293 in Mandi, 216 in Shimla, 225 in Kullu, 204 in Chamba, 91 in Sirmaur, 71 in Solan, 53 in Kangra, 47 in Lahaul and Spiti, 31 in Bilaspur, 39 in Una, and 4 in Hamirpur. Additionally, 2,809 electricity distribution transformers and 1,081 water supply schemes have been disrupted, affecting power and water supply in many parts of the state. Himachal Pradesh declared disaster-affected state by CM Sukhu

Himachal Rain Fury: 7 Killed in Mandi Landslide, 2 Feared Dead in Kullu

Fresh landslides and house collapses claim lives as rain havoc continues; over 1,100 roads blocked, schools and colleges ordered shut across Himachal

Himachal Monsoon: Two Feared Trapped Under Debris After Landslide In Kullu, Rescue Op Underway

Rescue operation is underway after a landslide struck the Akhara Bazaar area in Kullu district. Two people are feared trapped under the debris.

Rains batter Himachal: 5 dead in house collapses, 1,337 roads closed, schools shut in 3 districts

SHIMLA: Five people were killed in house collapse incidents as torrential rains triggered landslides and flash floods across Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, blocking 1,337 roads, including four national highways, officials said. The local meteorological office has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy rain in isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Kinnaur districts on Wednesday and a yellow alert for heavy rain in Una and Bilaspur districts. In Solan district's Samloh village, a woman died after she was buried under the debris of her house that collapsed following heavy rain late on Monday. The deceased was identified as Hemlata. Her husband, Heem Ram, four children, and her 85-year-old handicapped mother-in-law escaped with minor injuries. In another incident, a man and a woman were rescued from the rubble after their house caved in following rain in Kullu's Dhalpur. The woman later succumbed to her injuries, police said, adding that the details of the deceased were awaited. Officials said that a landslide that occurred near Jangam Bagh BBMB colony in Sundernagar in Mandi district on Tuesday evening claimed three lives -- two women and a child. The deceased have been identified as Bharti (28) and her 2.5-year-old daughter Kirtan. They were rescued and taken to hospital where they were declared dead. One of the bodies is yet to be identified, they said. Two-three more people are feared trapped under the debris, the officials said. The teams of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force and police are carrying out the rescue operations, Deputy Commissioner Mandi, Apporv Devgan, who was at the spot, told the PTI. All government and private educational institutes, including coaching centres and nursing institutes, in Shimla, Kangra and Sirmaur districts have been ordered to remain shut on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, in an order issued on Tuesday evening, said Shimla has been experiencing continuous rainfall for the last few days and there was a high possibility of landslides at several locations across the district, according to the latest Geological Survey of India forecast. Teachers and administrative staff are exempted from attending educational institutions, and online classes will be conducted, the order said. In view of an orange warning of heavy rains, educational institutions will remain shut in Kangra and Sirmaur districts, orders issued by the respective deputy commissioners of the two districts said. A vehicle stuck in Manalsu drain, flowing in spate, after heavy monsoon rain, at Manali in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. About nine villages in Manali were cut off after floods in the Manalsu drain, which also obstructed the Manali-Leh route. A landslide behind the Paddal gurdwara area in Mandi town damaged two houses on Monday night. However, no casualties were reported as the residents evacuated on time, the officials said. The two affected families have been shifted to safer locations, while occupants of nearby houses facing similar risks have vacated their homes, they said. An under-construction house was damaged following a landslide in the Anni area of Kullu district. No casualty was reported as the house had already been declared unsafe during the 2023 monsoon disaster and was vacant. As many as 16 families have been asked to vacate their houses after cracks developed in Dadwal village in the Naina Devi area of Bilaspur district, according to the officials. The document verification of shortlisted candidates for the post of constable in Himachal Pradesh Police has been postponed in view of the roads being blocked due to heavy rains. The verification drive that was supposed to be held from September 4 to 9 will now take place from September 24 to 29, a statement issued here said. Of the 1,337 blocked roads, 282 are in Mandi, 255 in Shimla, 239 in Chamba, 205 in Kullu and 140 in Sirmaur district, among others. National Highway 3 (Mandi-Dharampur road), National Highway 305 (Aut-Sainj), National Highway 5 (Old Hindustan-Tibet road) and National Highway 707 (Hatkoti to Poanta) were also blocked, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. The Shimla-Kalka National Highway 5, also known as the Hindustan-Tibet Road, and the Chandigarh-Manali Highway were also obstructed by landslides, causing major inconvenience to commuters. The situation is much severe in the interior regions where link roads have remained blocked, preventing apple producers from transporting their produce to the markets. On Monday, trains plying on the Shimla-Kalka track were cancelled following landslips. Services will remain suspended till September 5, the officials said. Efforts are afoot to send about 5,000 Manimahesh pilgrims stuck in Chamba district back home. Sixteen pilgrims have died since the yatra started on August 15, they said. Naina Devi has received 198.2 mm of rain since Monday evening, the highest in the state. Manali received 89 mm of rainfall, Rohru 80 mm, Mandi 78.2 mm, Dharamshala 76.3 mm, Kukumseri 74.2 mm, Chamba 72 mm, Bhuntar 69.7 mm, Jot 61.2 mm, Nahan 59.7 mm, Baggi 58.5 mm, Keylong and Una 57 mm each, Nadaun 53 mm and Olinda 50 mm. At least 340 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents, while 41 are missing since the monsoon began, the SEOC data showed. As many as 2,180 power transformers and 777 water supply schemes were disrupted across the state on Monday, the SEOC said. Since the onset of monsoon in Himachal on June 20, the state has witnessed 95 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts and 121 major landslide incidents. The state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 3,523 crore this monsoon so far, according to official data. 380 tourists evacuated from Sissu, Manimahesh Yatris stranded in Chamba as Himachal reels under heavy rains

NHAI to fly in heavy equipment to fix Kullu-Manali highway

Following heavy rain and floods, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to airlift nine pieces of heavy construction equipment to restore the damaged Kullu-Manali highway. Restoration work is underway at 12 completely damaged and five partially damaged locations on NH-21. The NHAI has requested assistance from the Himachal Pradesh government to expedite the process.

Himachal Rain Fury: 2,000 Vehicles Stranded In Mandi, Kullu; 1,337 Roads Closed

Relentless rains in Himachal Pradesh caused landslides, road closures, and evacuations. Kiratpur-Manali highway remains blocked, stranding thousands of tourists.

IMD issues red alert for Northwest India

NEW DELHI: In anticipation of extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Northwest India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi . IMD predicts the rain intensity levels may exceed 210 mm in certain areas over the next three days. It has also predicted an imminent risk of flash floods in several watersheds and neighborhoods of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana. Residents are advised to remain vigilant over the next 24 hours as severe weather conditions are expected. In Himachal Pradesh, the districts most at risk include Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan. In Uttarakhand, the vulnerable districts are Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi. The plains of Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhispecifically Ambala, Panchkula, and Yamunanagarare also threatened by potential flash floods. The IMD has also projected heavy rainfall in Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, the Gujarat region, and Coastal Karnataka during the first week of September. Furthermore, a fresh low-pressure area is expected to form over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Odisha, and will move across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat over the next 3-4 days. This will likely lead to increased monsoon rainfall in Odisha from September 2 to 4, in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from September 3 to 5, and in Gujarat and parts of North Maharashtra from September 4 to 7. Due to these dangerous predictions, the IMD has advised fisherfolk to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea from September 1 to 6. Lake burst behind Uttarakhand flash flood, MHA told In the past 24 hours, many areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, West Rajasthan, and Telangana recorded extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 210 mm. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and East Rajasthan received between 120-200 mm of rain. The heavy rainfall has led to widespread flooding in Punjab, resulting in losses to kharif crops. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has held a review meeting with senior officials to assess the damage caused by the heavy rainfall and discuss compensation measures. Earlier, the IMD's monthly outlook indicated that the country is expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall in September, with a delayed withdrawal of the monsoon. Typically, the monsoon begins to withdraw in the first week of September and is expected to be fully withdrawn by September 30. The IMD has noted a new trend in September, characterized by more rainfall and a later withdrawal. So far, the country has experienced 6% more rainfall than normal, while the East and Northeast regions have faced approximately 18% below-normal rainfall. In contrast, the Northwest region has been the wettest, with about 27% above-normal rainfall recorded in the first three months of the monsoon. Flash flood strands 189 tourists in Uttarakhand's Valley of Flowers

Himachal records highest rainfall for August in 15 years; overnight landslides kill three

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh witnessed over 440 mm of rainfall in August, a staggering 72% above the normal of 256.8 mm, the highest recorded in the past fifteen years. The previous highest August rainfall was 322.5 mm in 2019, but this year saw an excess of 120 mm compared to that. Widespread heavy rain has caused landslides across the hill state, killing three people overnight, while the water level at Pong Dam has crossed its maximum capacity. A red alert has been issued in four districts, and an orange warning is in place for the rest of the state. The state has recorded excess rainfall ranging from 26% to 162% across different regions. Lahaul and Spiti saw 26% more rain, Kangra 29%, Chamba 104%, Solan 118%, Una 121%, Shimla 126%, and Kullu the highest at 162%. Last week alone, Himachal received 165.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 42.4 mm, a deviation of 291%. So far this monsoon, the state has recorded 826.8 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 613.8 mm, amounting to a 35% surplus. The seasonal normal for the entire monsoon period is 734.4 mm. 10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 6,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster Landslides triggered by heavy rains led to three deaths in Shimla district. In one incident, 35-year-old Virender Kumar and his 10-year-old daughter were killed after their house was struck by a landslide in Mohal Jot village, Junga tehsil. His wife survived as she was outside at the time. Several cattle were also killed. In another incident, an elderly woman, Kalavati, was buried under debris after a landslide hit her house in Chol village, Kotkhai area. In Rohru subdivision, four families were evacuated after a landslide threatened three homes and buried two cowsheds, trapping livestock. The Manimahesh Yatra, which has claimed 16 lives this season, has been suspended due to the inclement weather. The traditional royal bath was cancelled, and rituals were instead conducted at 84 local temples. Road connectivity across the region has been severely disrupted. The KiratpurManali National Highway has been blocked at several locations between Mandi and Aut due to fresh landslides. Tourists, buses, and trucks are stranded on both sides. The MandiPathankot Highway is also closed near Lavandi Bridge between Mandi and Jogindernagar. The SansariKillarThirotTandi road in LahaulSpiti remains blocked due to rockfall at Nili Dhank. Three pilgrims die during Manimahesh Yatra; heavy rain forces closure of schools, roads in Himachal Authorities in Mandi and LahaulSpiti have issued advisories urging residents to avoid non-essential travel. Emergency services and police have been deployed to manage traffic and assist stranded commuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Una, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Solan, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few hours. An orange alert has been issued for Shimla and surrounding areas. As of this morning, the water level at Pong Dam stood at 1,390.52 feet, slightly above its maximum capacity of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 79,790 cusecs, while the outflow was 1,09,920 cusecs. Of this, 17,079 cusecs passed through turbines and 92,841 cusecs through the spillway. Six machines remain operational at the powerhouse. 380 tourists evacuated from Sissu, Manimahesh Yatris stranded in Chamba as Himachal reels under heavy rains

Delhi: Yamuna crosses danger level mark, flows above 205.33 metres

Yamuna river in Delhi breaches danger mark due to continuous rainfall. Evacuation preparations are underway. Himachal Pradesh faces widespread disruption from heavy rains. Road connectivity and public utilities are severely affected. The cumulative death toll since June 20 rises to 320. Restoration efforts are challenged by persistent rain and difficult terrain. Chamba, Mandi, and Kullu districts are the most impacted.

10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 6,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster

CHANDIGARH: Ten pilgrims have died, and eight are missing in the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods. Around 6,000 devotees stranded in the Bharmour region have been safely evacuated to Nurpur and Pathankot from Kalsuin. Meanwhile, Dharamsala and McLeodganj are facing a water crisis as the water level at the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark. The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has also been blocked again due to landslides. Sources report that seven rescue teams, comprising police personnel, home guards, volunteers, NCC cadets, local residents, and civil officers, have been deployed to aid in the rescue operations. The devotees, who had trekked approximately 14 km from the district headquarters to reach Kalsuin, were then transported by 39 buses and 25 taxis to Chamba and Nurpur. Authorities have arranged additional buses to evacuate the remaining pilgrims, with 40 more buses requested. To assist the evacuees, arrangements for food and shelter have been made in Chamba, with community kitchens (langars) set up in Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog to provide meals to the stranded devotees. Despite the debris being cleared from the Kalsui-Rakh road, heavy vehicles cannot pass, making the road unsuitable for large-scale movement. Due to the heavy rains and subsequent flash floods, roads were washed away, and communication links were severed, leading to the deaths of ten devotees and leaving eight others missing en route to the Manimahesh Yatra. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas in Bharmour, Manimahesh, and other regions of Chamba district, as well as Fatehpur and Mand in Kangra district, following the excess water release from the Pong Dam. However, the adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from landing in Bharmour. The Chief Minister held a meeting with district administration officials in Chamba and instructed them to expedite the relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He also stressed the importance of ensuring adequate arrangements for food, water, shelter, and other essential amenities for those stranded. Sukhu visited Kalsuin to oversee the transportation arrangements and interacted with the devotees. He said, The buses have been arranged for the devotees at Kalsuin near Chamba from where they could board the same for going towards Nurpur and Pathankot. He also directed officials to quickly restore the Salooni-Khundimaral road to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, particularly those coming from Jammu's Kishtwar and Doda districts. Sukhu added that the State Governments pre-emptive measures had helped reduce the loss of lives compared to the devastation in 2023. However, the scale of destruction this year was far greater, with widespread damage to roads, electricity, water supply, and communication services. This year, the entire state has been hit by the destruction attributed to incessant rains, landslides, and cloud bursts. The rehabilitation is a challenge, but with the support of the people, we will overcome it courageously. It is our responsibility to rehabilitate the families who have been rendered homeless, lost all means of livelihood, and we will offer a special relief package to support them, he said. The Chief Minister acknowledged that the situation was being closely monitored by key government officials. Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh are reviewing the situation on the ground, Sukhu said, highlighting the humanitarian approach being adopted by the government. He mentioned that, Revenue Minister Negi has proceeded for Bharmour on foot from Chamba. This demonstrates that the present government has adopted a humanitarian approach and was sensitively dealing with the crisis. Regarding road restoration, Sukhu mentioned that heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclains, has been deployed in the district. However, the weather has posed significant challenges to the relief and restoration works. The evacuation of those stranded in Bharmour is also dependent on favourable weather conditions, although helicopters have been deployed for this purpose. The Chief Minister also called for a study to determine the underlying reasons for the frequent occurrence of cloud bursts in the state, citing global warming and climate change as major contributors. We must dig deep to tackle this problem effectively and save valuable lives, he stressed. Before departing for Bharmour, Sukhu inquired about the relief and rehabilitation operations in Kangra district from the Deputy Commissioner, Hemraj Bairwa, following excess water release from Pong Dam. Meanwhile, the water level in the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark at 1,391.28 feet, slightly above the permissible limit of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 160,276 cusecs, and the outflow was 84,952 cusecs, of which 17,079 cusecs were released through turbines, and 67,873 cusecs through spillways. At the MHC, the discharge stood at 11,500 cusecs, and 73,452 cusecs were released downstream at the Shah Nehar Barrage, with six machines operational at the dam. The water shortage in Dharamsala and McLeodganj is also a growing concern, as several water supply schemes were disrupted due to heavy rainfall, which caused landslides and damaged pipelines. The main supply line from the Naddi water treatment plant to Dharamsala was damaged due to land subsidence, affecting several distribution networks. The Gajj Khadd scheme, one of the major sources of water for the city, has been non-functional for over a month, and both the Naddi-Bhatehad and Bhagsunag schemes were also disrupted, further affecting the water supply to large parts of the city. Once again, the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked between Mandi and Kullu due to a massive landslide, just a day after it was reopened following a four-day closure. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed its workforce and heavy machinery to clear the blockage, but the disruption has left vehicles and tourists stranded. A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall was reported at Katwadhi village under the Nandi Panchayat of Gohar subdivision in Mandi district. The sudden surge of water in the Naseni Nallah caused significant damage to local infrastructure, although fortunately, no loss of human life has been reported. As of this morning, 557 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for traffic. Of these, 213 are in Mandi district, 160 in Kullu, 28 in Shimla, 38 in Sirmaur, 60 in Kangra, 23 in Una, 14 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Solan, and 9 in Bilaspur district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 936 power supply transformers and 223 water supply schemes have also been disrupted across the state. In Shimla, two individuals, Hemant and Pyare Lal, were injured after their houses were damaged by landslides in Thala village in Rampur Subdivision. Both were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

10 pilgrims dead, eight missing, 5,000 devotees evacuated amid Manimahesh Yatra disaster

CHANDIGARH: Ten pilgrims have died, and eight are missing in the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods. Around 5,000 devotees stranded in the Bharmour region have been safely evacuated to Nurpur and Pathankot from Kalsuin. Meanwhile, Dharamsala and McLeodganj are facing a water crisis as the water level at the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark. The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has also been blocked again due to landslides. Sources report that seven rescue teams, comprising police personnel, home guards, volunteers, NCC cadets, local residents, and civil officers, have been deployed to aid in the rescue operations. The devotees, who had trekked approximately 14 km from the district headquarters to reach Kalsuin, were then transported by 39 buses and 25 taxis to Chamba and Nurpur. Authorities have arranged additional buses to evacuate the remaining pilgrims, with 40 more buses requested. To assist the evacuees, arrangements for food and shelter have been made in Chamba, with community kitchens (langars) set up in Kalsui, Dharwala, and Dakhog to provide meals to the stranded devotees. Despite the debris being cleared from the Kalsui-Rakh road, heavy vehicles cannot pass, making the road unsuitable for large-scale movement. Due to the heavy rains and subsequent flash floods, roads were washed away, and communication links were severed, leading to the deaths of ten devotees and leaving eight others missing en route to the Manimahesh Yatra. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas in Bharmour, Manimahesh, and other regions of Chamba district, as well as Fatehpur and Mand in Kangra district, following the excess water release from the Pong Dam. However, the adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from landing in Bharmour. The Chief Minister held a meeting with district administration officials in Chamba and instructed them to expedite the relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He also stressed the importance of ensuring adequate arrangements for food, water, shelter, and other essential amenities for those stranded. Sukhu visited Kalsuin to oversee the transportation arrangements and interacted with the devotees. He said, The buses have been arranged for the devotees at Kalsuin near Chamba from where they could board the same for going towards Nurpur and Pathankot. He also directed officials to quickly restore the Salooni-Khundimaral road to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, particularly those coming from Jammu's Kishtwar and Doda districts. Sukhu added that the State Governments pre-emptive measures had helped reduce the loss of lives compared to the devastation in 2023. However, the scale of destruction this year was far greater, with widespread damage to roads, electricity, water supply, and communication services. This year, the entire state has been hit by the destruction attributed to incessant rains, landslides, and cloud bursts. The rehabilitation is a challenge, but with the support of the people, we will overcome it courageously. It is our responsibility to rehabilitate the families who have been rendered homeless, lost all means of livelihood, and we will offer a special relief package to support them, he said. The Chief Minister acknowledged that the situation was being closely monitored by key government officials. Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh are reviewing the situation on the ground, Sukhu said, highlighting the humanitarian approach being adopted by the government. He mentioned that, Revenue Minister Negi has proceeded for Bharmour on foot from Chamba. This demonstrates that the present government has adopted a humanitarian approach and was sensitively dealing with the crisis. Regarding road restoration, Sukhu mentioned that heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclains, has been deployed in the district. However, the weather has posed significant challenges to the relief and restoration works. The evacuation of those stranded in Bharmour is also dependent on favourable weather conditions, although helicopters have been deployed for this purpose. The Chief Minister also called for a study to determine the underlying reasons for the frequent occurrence of cloud bursts in the state, citing global warming and climate change as major contributors. We must dig deep to tackle this problem effectively and save valuable lives, he stressed. Before departing for Bharmour, Sukhu inquired about the relief and rehabilitation operations in Kangra district from the Deputy Commissioner, Hemraj Bairwa, following excess water release from Pong Dam. Meanwhile, the water level in the Pong Dam remains above the danger mark at 1,391.28 feet, slightly above the permissible limit of 1,390 feet. The inflow was recorded at 160,276 cusecs, and the outflow was 84,952 cusecs, of which 17,079 cusecs were released through turbines, and 67,873 cusecs through spillways. At the MHC, the discharge stood at 11,500 cusecs, and 73,452 cusecs were released downstream at the Shah Nehar Barrage, with six machines operational at the dam. The water shortage in Dharamsala and McLeodganj is also a growing concern, as several water supply schemes were disrupted due to heavy rainfall, which caused landslides and damaged pipelines. The main supply line from the Naddi water treatment plant to Dharamsala was damaged due to land subsidence, affecting several distribution networks. The Gajj Khadd scheme, one of the major sources of water for the city, has been non-functional for over a month, and both the Naddi-Bhatehad and Bhagsunag schemes were also disrupted, further affecting the water supply to large parts of the city. Once again, the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked between Mandi and Kullu due to a massive landslide, just a day after it was reopened following a four-day closure. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed its workforce and heavy machinery to clear the blockage, but the disruption has left vehicles and tourists stranded. A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall was reported at Katwadhi village under the Nandi Panchayat of Gohar subdivision in Mandi district. The sudden surge of water in the Naseni Nallah caused significant damage to local infrastructure, although fortunately, no loss of human life has been reported. As of this morning, 557 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for traffic. Of these, 213 are in Mandi district, 160 in Kullu, 28 in Shimla, 38 in Sirmaur, 60 in Kangra, 23 in Una, 14 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Solan, and 9 in Bilaspur district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 936 power supply transformers and 223 water supply schemes have also been disrupted across the state. In Shimla, two individuals, Hemant and Pyare Lal, were injured after their houses were damaged by landslides in Thala village in Rampur Subdivision. Both were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

NHAI allocates 100 crore to repair Kullu-Manali road damaged in flash floods

Manali remains cut off after rain, floods and landslides battered NH 21; NHAI is exploring long-term solutions like construction of tunnels and elevated structures

NHAI begins emergency repairs on KiratpurPandohKulluManali highway after flood damage

NEW DELHI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated urgent restoration efforts on the KiratpurPandohKulluManali corridor in Himachal Pradesh after the highway sustained severe damage due to flash floods and cloudbursts in Mandi and Kullu districts. On Friday, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials and field officers from the Shimla Regional Office to assess the damage and begin immediate restoration and improvement works on National Highway 21. The central government has allocated 100 crore for short-term restoration activities. Restoration work will target 10 locations on the KulluManali section that were completely washed away and five other sites that were partially damaged by torrential rains, cutting off Manali from the rest of the state. Alternate routes managed by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) have also been damaged and are currently open only to light vehicles. NHAI has decided to extend financial assistance to the state PWD for immediate repairs and maintenance of PWD roads currently being used for diverted highway traffic, said officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Inaccessible areas will be temporarily restored to re-establish connectivity, and sufficient funds have been sanctioned to the NHAIs Shimla office for urgent work. The highways maintenance contractor has been mobilised, and emergency repairs are being carried out on a war footing. In parallel, NHAI is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for permanent restoration of flood-damaged stretches on the KiratpurPandohManali section. Long-term solutions under consideration include the construction of tunnels, elevated road structures, and slope stabilisation measures. Officials confirmed that in addition to the 100 crore sanctioned for immediate rectification, steps are being taken to implement durable and resilient infrastructure across the affected sections.

380 tourists evacuated from Sissu, Manimahesh Yatris stranded in Chamba as Himachal reels under heavy rains

CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall has triggered fresh landslides and flash floods across five districts of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Kangra, and Mandi, leaving the situation grim. Around 380 tourists stranded in Sissu, Lahaul and Spiti, have been safely evacuated. Meanwhile, pilgrims of the Manimahesh Yatra, which was suspended on Monday due to heavy rains, remain stranded in Chamba town owing to massive landslides. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a disaster review meeting covering the five affected districts through video conference from New Delhi today. He discussed the current situation at length with the Divisional Commissioner, Kangra, stationed at Chamba, as well as with the Deputy Commissioner of Chamba and the Superintendent of Police, both stationed at Bharmour. Sukhu sought information about the stranded Manimahesh Yatris, losses incurred due to flash floods and heavy rains, and the status of ongoing relief and restoration works. He was informed that all the stranded devotees were safe and well attended to, with proper arrangements for food, shelter, and first aid. He directed the restoration of communication services across the district, particularly in Bharmour, to ensure that residents could contact their near and dear ones. Additionally, he instructed authorities to make arrangements for the safe return of the devotees housed in large numbers at Chamba Chaugan. It was also reported in the meeting that Jio, Airtel, and BSNL services have been restored in Chamba town, and the 25-kilometre road from Chamba to Bharmour has been reopened. Sukhu instructed the Chamba and Bharmour district administration to prioritise the evacuation of Manimahesh Yatris, especially women and children. He also directed the airlifting of the elderly and ill. He emphasised the provision of basic amenities, including food, shelter, and first aid, and instructed authorities to facilitate the safe journey of the stranded devotees to their destinations. In addition, he ordered airdrops of food at inaccessible locations where devotees were still stranded. Sukhu asked for adequate stocks of rations and vegetables, deployment of Air Force helicopters, and assignment of officers to ensure patch-wise restoration of roads washed away or blocked by landslides. He further called for additional manpower and machinery to clear roads swiftly and to restore water and electricity schemes. The Chief Minister was briefed on the status of blocked roads, disrupted electricity, irrigation and drinking water schemes, and communication services in the affected districts. He directed the Deputy Commissioners of Mandi and Kullu to ensure smooth vehicular movement through alternate routes and emphasised the prompt restoration of drinking water and electricity, alongside reopening blocked roads. Inquiring about the situation in Bara-Bhangal, Kangra district, Sukhu ordered airdrops of food grains and other essentials for residents. He also called for speedy assessments of land lost to the floods. He reviewed restoration works at Indora, Fatehpur, and Pong dam. Officials reported that the water level in Pong dam has decreased and that people from submerged areas have been safely relocated. Sukhu instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti to ensure the evacuation of all tourists. Later, DC Lahaul and Spiti Kiran Bhadana confirmed that around 380 tourists stranded in Sissu had been safely evacuated. She reported that Jio and Airtel services had been restored, with further efforts underway to restore other networks. She also confirmed that power supply had been restored in many areas, and generation had resumed at Thirot electricity substation. The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to coordinate with the district administration for the proper execution of these measures. It was reported that the PathankotChamba road is now open to all vehicles, while small vehicles are plying via the KamandKatola road towards Kullu. Sukhu directed the district administration to restrict this alternate route to small vehicles, with heavy vehicles halted at Mandi until roads are cleared. He was informed that the KulluMandi NH-03 is open to small vehicles and that major roads in Mandi have been cleared, except for the MandiSarkaghat route via Basahi/Dharampur.