Untold Caste Tales: Indian SC Chamar Lives Amid Devta Customs With Special Reference Through Mandi, Kullu, Shimla And Kangra Regions Of Himachal Pradesh
HP: Right-wing group harasses Imam, claims mosque was once a temple
A group of right-wing stormed a mosque in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra and confronted the imam (Islamic preacher) of a local mosque, claiming that the site was originally a temple. A video of the incident emerged on social media on Saturday, November 16 showing the group members fueled by extreme ideology aggressively confronting the imam, threatening 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 .
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.
Polish paraglider stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra after mid-air collision
DHARAMSHALA: A paraglider from Poland was stranded in Dhauladhar hills in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh after a mid-air collision with another paraglider, officials said on Monday. Efforts to airlift the paraglider, who was identified as Andrew Babinski, failed due to tough terrain on Monday, they said. Babinski got stranded in Dhauladhar hills on Sunday after colliding with another paraglider mid-air, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Baijnath, D C Thakur told PTI. An attempt to rescue him on Monday using a chopper failed due to tough terrain. The land search party will soon reach the spot, the officer said. Babinski is in touch with paragliding organisers and the local administration, according to the officials. Meanwhile, an Australian paraglider participating in the Paragliding World Cup 2024 in Kangra's Bir Billing suffered a sprain in his leg before takeoff on Sunday. Australian paraglider David Snowden had a sprain in his leg before takeoff and did not fly. He was rushed to the hospital for an X-ray and is fine now, Billing Paragliding Association president Anurag Sharma told PTI. The eight-day Paragliding World Cup 2024 commenced on November 2 and 94 paragliders, including seven women, from 26 countries are participating in the event. As part of safety measures, two helicopters, seven health teams with ambulances, and six rescue and retrieval teams led by experts from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute in Manali are on standby for the event, Sharma said. Last week, two foreign paragliders crashed to death in Himachal Pradesh. On Tuesday, a Belgian paraglider died after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Bir Billing as his parachute failed to open after the collision. On Wednesday, solo paraglider Dita Misurcova (43) crashed into the mountains near Marhi in Manali after she lost control of the glider due to strong winds.
Two foreign paragliders die in two days in Himachal Pradesh, ahead of world cup
CHANDIGARH: A day after the death of a Belgian paraglider, another paraglider from the Czech Republic was killed on Wednesday in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, after she crashed into the mountainside. Thus, two paragliders have died in two days in the hill state ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024, commencing on November 2 in Bir Billing in Kangra district. The deceased solo paraglider, 43-year-old Dita Misurcova, who had been in the sport for the past six years, crashed into the mountains near Marhi in Manali, as she lost control over the glider due to strong winds. She was immediately rushed to a hospital in Manali, where she was declared dead. On Tuesday, the Belgian paraglider, Feyarets, collided mid-air with another paraglider from Poland in Bir Billing as his parachute failed to open. Both paragliders had taken off separately. Meanwhile, the Polish paraglider sustained injuries. Feyarets was a free-flying paraglider in his mid-sixties. While 10 paragliders were flying simultaneously and two of them crashed with each other mid-air, the Belgian paraglider died as his parachute did not open after the crash. The chances of accident increase when the free-fliers venture into high-risk zones or inner valleys with little knowledge of the topography and local wind conditions. We are in the process of documenting the thermals in the Bir Billing area with the help of experts to reduce the probability of accidents while flying, Tourism of Kangra Deputy Director Vinay Dhiman informed. Avinash Negi, Director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali, said, A proposal to install special towers in high mountains to pinpoint crash sites in case of accidents is in the pipeline. Separately, a suspected heart attack claimed the life of 50-year-old Russian, Aleksei Kozlochkov, in his hotel room in Bir village. He had arrived on October 16 and was staying with friends in Bir and practicing during the day. On October 25, three foreign paragliders, Michael Karnik and Bernard Greg Collins from New Zealand and Rosie from the UK, were rescued after they crash-landed in the mountains of Kullu after having taken off from Billing.
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.
Kangra: Paragliders collide mid-air, Belgian man dies
A Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Himachal's Kangra district, five days ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 set to take place in Bir-Billing, police said on Wednesday.
Himachal: Belgian paraglider killed after mid-air collision in Bir-Billing
International paraglider Steven T Hines from Califonia tests paragliding in Vizag. (DC Image) International paraglider Steven T Hines from Califonia tests paragliding in Vizag. (DC Image) Shimla: A Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Himachal's Kangra district, five days ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 set to take place in Bir-Billing, police said on Wednesday. Feyarets, a free-flying paraglider in his mid-sixties, had come to Bir-Billing for practice, ahead of the World Cup. Although both paragliders took off separately, they collided mid-air on Tuesday. Feyarets crashed into the forest, while the other paraglider got entangled in trees and suffered injuries. He was later rescued. Police said that Feyaret's body is yet to be recovered from the forest. This incident follows another fatality on October 23, 2023, when Polish paraglider Andrez died during a solo flight from Bir-Billing. Avinash Negi, Director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) in Manali, had earlier emphasised the need for enhanced safety measures in adventure sports, particularly paragliding. A proposal to install special towers in high mountains to pinpoint the crash sites in case of accidents is in the pipeline, Negi said. While paragliders use devices to send distress and crash-landing alerts, the GPS-enabled systems provide vague location data (within 50-100 meters), which can hinder rescue efforts, an expert noted. A total of 130 paragliders from 50 countries are expected to compete in this year's World Cup, scheduled from November 2 to 9 in Bir-Billing.
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.
Samarth 2024: We must learn to live with disasters, says CM Sukhu
Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency of disasters, and it is crucial to adapt to living with these challenges, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday. Presiding over the International Disaster Reduction Day event, 'Samarth-2024' here, he announced that a major State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) training institute will be established in Palampur. He emphasised that awareness is key to effectively responding to disasters and minimising the loss of life and property. The state government is spending a significant amount of money on disaster preparedness and awareness, he said in a statement issued here, adding a Rs 800-crore project is being executed in collaboration with the French agency Agence Franaise de Dveloppement (AFD), and Rs 500 crore is being spent from the mitigation fund. The CM said the region which is now Himachal Pradesh experienced its first major disaster in 1905, when an earthquake in Kangra claimed more than 20,000 lives. he said th
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'
Himachal: Kangra Airport Expansion Project Gets Centre's Nod
1st hydrogen train to start trial run in Dec
NEW DELHI: India will soon become the fifth country to run hydrogen-fuelled trains, after Germany, France, Sweden, and China. Indian Railways has awarded a pilot project for reto-fitment of hydrogen fuel cell in existing DEMU (diesel electric multiple unit) trains, along with the necessary ground infrastructure. The first prototype of hydrogen-fuelled train is set to run on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana under the Northern Railway zone by December 2024. A senior railway official said the integration of the prototype train is going on at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is personally overseeing this eco-friendly railway project, sources said. After trials, the railway will introduce 35 hydrogen trains under Hydrogen for Heritage initiative, investing over Rs 80 crore for each train and Rs 70 crore for infrastructure development across various heritage and hill routes. Terming this a major move that will contribute to Indias target of achieving net zero carbon emissions, officials said using hydrogen as a fuel source offers significant benefits for green transportation. The railway has received approval for a hydrogen plant from the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization, and on-board hydrogen safety assessments are being conducted by leading agencies, including TUV-SUD Germany, officials said. Among the heritage routes targeted for the introduction of hydrogen trains are the Matheran-Hill Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Kangra Valley, and Nilgiri Mountain Railways, officials said. Once these trials are successfully completed, the routes will be operational within the next three years, showcasing Indias rich cultural and natural heritage, they added. Why its important Being a clean fuel, hydrogen can transform the green transportation technology and support Indias zero carbon emission goals What to expect Initially, 35 H-powered trains will be launched, with each having a composition of six cars, on eight heritage routes.
Pak has certified NC-Cong carrying out its agenda in J&K: Nadda
Its an election for stability of J&K Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Sept 22: Castigating Congress and National Conference (NC) and labelling them as non-nationalist forces, BJP national president and Union Health Minister J P Nadda today said Pakistans Defence Minister himself certified that the two parties are carrying out that countrys (Pakistans) agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News Addressing an election rally at Kangra Fort Barnai in support of party [] The post Pak has certified NC-Cong carrying out its agenda in J&K: Nadda appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Himachal Cabinet Approves HPPCL's Acquisition Of 780 MW Hydro Power Project
The Cabinet gave its nod to set up 50-bedded Critical Care Blocks at Civil Hospital Dehra in Kangra district and Civil Hospital Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district.
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
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
Balloon Stuck in Throat, 13-Year-Old Boy Dies in Himachal Pradesh
A 13-year-old from Kangra tragically died after a balloon got stuck in his throat. The school principal and a local political leader provided financial help to his family for treatment
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
Over 100 roads closed after rains, MeT warns of flash flood in eight districts in Himachal
SHIMLA: A total of 109 roads including National Highway 707, were closed on Monday in Himachal Pradesh following rains, the state emergency operation centre said. The local meteorological office warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Kullu and Kinnaur till Tuesday. It also issued a 'yellow' alert of heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in the state till Tuesday. Besides National Highway 707 being blocked between Hatkoti in Shimla district and Poanta Sahib in Sirmaur district, 55 roads were closed in Sirmaur, 23 in Shimla, 10 each in Mandi and Kangra, nine in Kullu, one each in Lahaul and Spiti and Una districts, as per the data shared by the state emergency operation centre (SEOC). As many as 427 power supply schemes have also been disrupted in the state, the SEOC said. Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed parts of parts of Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Mandi districts while moderate rainfall was recorded in several places of the state in the past 24 hours since Sunday evening. Nahan in the Sirmaur district logged 143.5 mm of rain being the wettest place in the state, followed by 130 mm of rain in Naina Devi, 83 mm in Pachhad, 72.6 mm in Poanta Sahib, 66 mm in Dhaulakuan, 55.1 mm in Kataula, 46.2 mm in Sundernagar, 34 mm in Pandoh, 33 mm in Chamba, 32 mm in Bharmaur and 30 mm in Palampur. Himachal Pradesh's rainfall deficit so far since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 stands at 23 per cent with the state receiving 482.1 mm rainfall against an average of 623.9 mm. As many as 151 people have died in rain-related incidents this year and the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,265 crore, officials said. According to the weather department of the 12 revenue districts in the state, 11 recorded a rainfall deficit and only Shimla district received 10 per cent excess rainfall.
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
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 Met Office Issues 'Yellow' Alert For Heavy Rain In 10 Districts
The Met office also cautioned of a low-flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts until Saturday.
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 .
87 roads closed due to rains in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: Flash floods and landslides triggered by days of heavy rains led to the closure of 87 roads in different parts of Himachal Pradesh, the state emergency operation centre said on Monday. The meteorological centre here has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain at isolated places in the state till Thursday. Himachal Pradesh has been pummelled by heavy rains for almost a week. Thirteen people died in flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts on July 31 and 40 are missing. Thirty roads were closed in Kullu, 25 in Mandi, 14 in Lahaul and Spiti, nine in Shimla, seven in Kangra and two in Kinnaur on Sunday evening, the state emergency response centre said. The Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi (SKTT) road in Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti was blocked after a flash flood at Dhandhal nullah, police said. With the Chandrabhaga river in spate, the deputy head of Tadang village in Lahaul and Spiti was notified and residents were asked to move to Junda village, they said. Hamirpur has received the highest rainfall of 67 mm since Sunday evening, followed by 44 mm in Aghar, 42 mm in Jogindernagar, 38 mm in Nadaun, 32.3 mm in Dehra Gopipur, 28 mm in Palampur and 27.5 mm each in Dhaula Kuan and Nahan. Intermittent rains continued in parts of the state. The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy showers, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places till August 8. It also warned about the possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas and damage to plantations and standing crops, vulnerable structures and 'kutcha' houses due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas. According to officials, 79 people were killed in rain-related incidents between June 27 and August 4 and the state suffered losses amounting to Rs 663 crore.
Intermittent rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh with Hamirpur receiving the highest rainfall at 54 mm since Friday evening, followed by Berthin and Dharamshala 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.
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
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
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: 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.
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.
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.
International paragliding pilots to converge in Himachals Kangra for World Cup competition
Chief Minister Sukhu Kumar launched the official website for the upcoming Paragliding World Cup last week, signaling that preparations are underway for the prestigious international event scheduled to take place in Himachal Pradesh next month. Set against the scenic backdrop of Bir Billing in Kangra district from November 2nd to 9th, the competition is expected [] The post International paragliding pilots to converge in Himachals Kangra for World Cup competition appeared first on Northlines .
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 ..
SDRF's Ashiq Ali wins praise for saving 5 kanwariyas
Almost everyone in the pilgrimage town is talking about SDRF head constable Ashiq Ali, who is deployed at Kangra ghat near Har Ki Pairi in Haridwar.
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.
Heavy Rain Expected in 6 Himachal Pradesh Districts Today and Tomorrow
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: According to the Meteorological Center Shimla, heavy rain is expected in 6 districts of Himachal Pradesh today and tomorrow. These districts are Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi. Light to moderate rain is expected in most parts of the state till July 27. Monsoon Rainfall ... Read more
