Widespread rainfall to continue across Uttarakhand and other parts of India: IMD
Heavy monsoon rains have claimed 194 lives in Himachal Pradesh, with Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu worst hit. As per official data, over 28,000 livestock have died, 579 homes destroyed, and public infrastructure losses stand at Rs 1,852.52 crore. Roads, transformers, and water supply schemes remain severely disrupted.
Himachal monsoon killed many along with widespread destruction of property
Heavy monsoon rains have claimed 194 lives in Himachal Pradesh, with Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu worst hit. As per official data, over 28,000 livestock have died, 579 homes destroyed, and public infrastructure losses stand at Rs 1,852.52 crore. Roads, transformers, and water supply schemes remain severely disrupted.
Uttarakhand flash floods: 150 rescued, 11 army personnel missing
Heavy monsoon rains have claimed 194 lives in Himachal Pradesh, with Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu worst hit. As per official data, over 28,000 livestock have died, 579 homes destroyed, and public infrastructure losses stand at Rs 1,852.52 crore. Roads, transformers, and water supply schemes remain severely disrupted.
Himachal's Bada Bhangal village cut off after Kalihani river changes course due to landslides
CHANDIGARH: Due to heavy rains that triggered landslides, the Kalihani river has changed its course, cutting off Bada Bhangal, a remote tribal village situated at an altitude of nearly 7,800 feet in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, from the rest of the state. Located between the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar mountain ranges, Bada Bhangal has a population of just over 400 people. The village is accessible only on foot via treacherous high-altitude passes - Thamsar Pass which is at a height of 4,654 metres and Kalihani Pass which is at 4,800 metres. These routes typically close after snowfall in October, isolating the village for around six months every year. Access to the footbridge over the Kalihani river has been washed away as the river has changed its course, thus blocking the pedestrian trekking route from Bir Billing in Baijnath subdivision as it has also been washed away at several places. Himachal rains: 453 roads blocked across state, total loss touches Rs 1,700 crore Mansa Ram Bhangalia, the sarpanch of the village, has written a letter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Baijnath, urging immediate restoration of the pedestrian routes. He told TNIE that it currently takes three days to trek from Thamsar to reach the village, and the landslides have washed away several portions of the path. The estimated cost of repairing the approach to the bridge is approximately Rs 5 lakh. However, as the path has been washed away at several places, the damage cannot be estimated, he said. The supply of essential commodities including food items and medicines has been disrupted the last supply came three days back as continuous downpour is happening. The Food and Civil Supplies Department sends rations through the Kalihani route which is now impassable, he said. An official said that efforts are underway to restore the khachar route as soon as possible. We are closely monitoring the situation, the official added. The village is predominantly inhabited by members of the Gaddi community, a nomadic group that grazes livestock in high-altitude pastures during summer and migrates to Bir near Baijnath in the winter. However, due to changing weather conditions, many have migrated permanently, although some still remain in the village, braving the harsh environment.
Himachal rains: 453 roads blocked across state, total loss touches Rs 1,700 crore
CHANDIGARH: Heavy downpour since Monday evening triggered widespread landslides and flooding across Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, blocking the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway and several other roads and disrupting day to day life. A total of 453 roads including four national highways closed across the state. Till now, 192 persons have lost their lives in landslides, cloudbursts, flashfloods and 301 are injured. The total loss caused by flashfloods and torrential rain in the state has touched Rs 1,753.63 crore. As per the state emergency operation centre, as on Tuesday morning, 449 roads and four national highways were blocked across the state. Of these, 318 roads and three national highways are in Mandi district, 67 roads and one national highways in Kullu district, 23 roads in Kangra district, 22 roads in Sirmour district, ten roads in Una district, four each in Bilaspur and Chamba districts and one in Shimla. Additionally, 753 electricity transformers have been damaged and 276 water supply schemes disrupted. The Public Works Department suffered a loss of Rs 880 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department at Rs 618 crore, horticulture sector Rs 27.43 crore and the agriculture sector Rs 11.45 crore. Sources said that the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked at many places due to landslides and continuous shooting stones. Also, the alternate road via KataulaKamand is blocked due to similar conditions. Not only these important roads, the Mandi-Dharampur highway via Kotli is blocked near Kainchi Mod and Mandi-Jogindernagar highway is also impassable. The Mandi-Rewalsar road near Lohardi has been blocked as several link roads in different parts of the district have reported landslides and water logging. Due to incessant rains, the Beas River and its tributaries are on the verge of flooding low-lying regions. Due to water logging in the Balh area of Mandi the movement of public and emergency services has further complicated. The district administration has launched extensive restoration efforts but due to persistent rainfall and unstable terrain these efforts have been hampered. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and regular updates are expected as conditions evolve. Meanwhile, road users are being urged to strictly follow the instructions issued by local authorities and on-ground personnel. Mandi Police have issued public advisories urging residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from riversides and landslide-prone zones. Emergency response teams are on alert and restoration machinery has been deployed to clear debris and reopen the affected routes. The Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall for the next few hours, prompting authorities to remain vigilant. An orange alert for heavy rain in Una, Bilaspur and Kangra districts and a yellow alert for heavy rain in Sirmaur, Mandi and Hamirpur districts on August 5 have been issued.
Himachal Pradesh monsoon fury: Mandi, Kullu among worst-hit districts
The SDMA on Sunday released its latest landslide monitoring report, highlighting risk levels across 22 locations in districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, and Solan, based on real-time monitoring inputs
Himachal cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects
CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the cancellation of 172 small hydro projects, each below 5 MW capacity, under the Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA), where construction had allegedly stalled for an extended period. The state government will re-advertise these projects, as per the decision taken at a cabinet meeting. It was also decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12 per cent, along with an additional one per cent for the Local Area Development Fund, for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. The cabinet further approved the cancellation of 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, previously allotted by the Directorate of Energy, where implementation agreements had not been signed. For the remaining projects, developers have been allowed time until 5 August 2025 to submit replies to the notices served. A committee will be constituted to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement to refund the principal amount of the upfront premium, without interest. Amendments were also approved to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. Under the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects for captive purposes. Additionally, any leftover stacked raw material or finished product, along with the entire material generated, shall be auctioned by the designated committee in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The cabinet also approved amendments to the existing compassionate employment policy. Under the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been increased from 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh. Priority for compassionate appointments will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Furthermore, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5 per cent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. The cabinet also gave its approval to allow women workers to be engaged in shops and commercial establishments during night shifts, from 7 pm to 7 am, to promote gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments, as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. An increase in the number of B.Sc. Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla, from 60 to 100 was also approved. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of a new B.Sc. Nursing College with an annual intake of 60 seats at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, along with the creation and filling of 27 posts across various categories. A cabinet sub-committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan to oversee the development of a 300-acre Medical Device Park at Nalagarh. The sub-committee has been instructed to submit its report within two months. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, the cabinet granted a one-year extension up to 16 August 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings. It also gave its nod to the draft Development Plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district. The plan aims to conserve natural resources and scenic beauty while promoting sustainable economic development in the region. Finally, the cabinet approved the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and Alliance Air Aviation Limited for operating flights on the ShimlaDharamshalaShimla route. The MoU will now remain in effect from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Himachal Pradesh: Last date for insurance of maize, paddy crops in Kangra extended to July 31
Himachal Pradesh: Last date for insurance of maize, paddy crops in Kangra extended to July 31 Kangra: Farmers in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, now have until July 31 to get their insurance of maize and paddy crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the central governments flagship crop insurance scheme. Originally slated to end [] The post Himachal Pradesh: Last date for insurance of maize, paddy crops in Kangra extended to July 31 appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Himachal rains: Three dead, one injured as sudden downpour triggers flood in Mandi
CHANDIGARH: At least three people have died and one injured missing in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain overnight. More than 20 vehicles have been submerged and around two dozen houses partially damaged; the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, Chandigarh-Dharamsala, Mandi-Pathankot and Shimla-Mataur highways have been blocked. Sources said that a flash flood struck Mandi district early Tuesday morning. Four members of a family had reportedly come out of their house in the wee hours to shift their vehicle to a safer place, but were swept away in the sudden flood; three have been confirmed dead, while one person suffered a fracture and has been admitted to a local hospital. The incident occured on Jail Road Tungal colony in Mandi town as Sukati nullah overflowed due to sudden heavy rains and caused widespread destruction. The water entered several locations in about five-kilometer area besides the Jail Road, Saini Mohalla and Zonal hospital area. The flashflood washed away dozens of parked vehicles, while muck and debris entered homes and damaged property. Locals were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing; teams of SDRF, volunteers and district administration are engaged in clearing debris and are trying to locate the missing person. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorva Devgan said that rescue operations are in full swing and about 15 to 20 people have been rescued. The victims were attempting to move their vehicles to safer locations when they were washed away along with their vehicles. The body of one person was found stuck in an auto-rickshaw, he added. Devgan said that more than dozen people trapped inside their houses were rescued. The rescue teams had to break window panes and doors to rescue them as their houses were filled with mud and silt, he said. The flash floods triggered landslides, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali NH at multiple points, specifically at 4 Miles, 9 Miles near Pandoh and Dwada. Also, the Mandi-Pathankot highway is blocked due to a landslide at the Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Many other interior roads in the district have also been blocked due to landslides and water-logging. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains blocked the National Highway near Kangra, cutting off the only main road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj and surrounding areas. Landslides also blocked the Shimla-Mataur National Highway at Old Kangra Ghat and reports of uprooting of trees and electricity have also poured from several parts of the state. The Met office had issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday. It also issued a yellow warning of heavy rains at isolated places in Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, and Una, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Since the start of the monsoon season this year from June 20 till July 28, the hill state has suffered a loss of Rs 1523 crore. So far 90 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1320 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state. A total of 200 roads, including 121 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Monday night. 62 power distribution transformers and 110 water supply schemes have also been affected across the state, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths
Himachal rains: Two dead, one missing as sudden downpour triggers flood in Mandi
CHANDIGARH: At least three people have died and one person has gone missing in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain overnight. More than 20 vehicles have been submerged and around two dozen houses partially damaged; the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, Chandigarh-Dharamsala, Mandi-Pathankot and Shimla-Mataur highways have been blocked. Sources said that a flash flood struck Mandi district early Tuesday morning. Four members of a family had reportedly come out of their house in the wee hours to shift their vehicle to a safer place, but were swept away in the sudden flood; the bodies of two persons were recovered, one person is missing, while another person suffered a fracture and has been admitted to a local hospital. The incident occured on Jail Road Tungal colony in Mandi town as Sukati nullah overflowed due to sudden heavy rains and caused widespread destruction. The water entered several locations in about five-kilometer area besides the Jail Road, Saini Mohalla and Zonal hospital area. The flashflood washed away dozens of parked vehicles, while muck and debris entered homes and damaged property. Locals were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing; teams of SDRF, volunteers and district administration are engaged in clearing debris and are trying to locate the missing person. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorva Devgan said that rescue operations are in full swing and about 15 to 20 people have been rescued, while one missing person is yet to be located. The victims were attempting to move their vehicles to safer locations when they were washed away along with their vehicles. The body of one person was found stuck in an auto-rickshaw, he added. Devgan said that more than dozen people trapped inside their houses were rescued. The rescue teams had to break window panes and doors to rescue them as their houses were filled with mud and silt, he said. The flash floods triggered landslides, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali NH at multiple points, specifically at 4 Miles, 9 Miles near Pandoh and Dwada. Also, the Mandi-Pathankot highway is blocked due to a landslide at the Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Many other interior roads in the district have also been blocked due to landslides and water-logging. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains blocked the National Highway near Kangra, cutting off the only main road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj and surrounding areas. Landslides also blocked the Shimla-Mataur National Highway at Old Kangra Ghat and reports of uprooting of trees and electricity have also poured from several parts of the state. The Met office had issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday. It also issued a yellow warning of heavy rains at isolated places in Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, and Una, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Since the start of the monsoon season this year from June 20 till July 28, the hill state has suffered a loss of Rs 1523 crore. So far 90 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1320 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state. A total of 200 roads, including 121 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Monday night. 62 power distribution transformers and 110 water supply schemes have also been affected across the state, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths
Himachal Pradesh is bracing for more rainfall. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for several districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected from July 29 to August 3. Kullu, Kangra, and Mandi are under high alert. Residents and tourists are advised to stay cautious. Despite the rain, the state still faces a rainfall deficit. Temperatures are normal.
Heavy monsoon rains caused havoc in Himachal Pradesh. Many roads are blocked. Power and water supplies are disrupted. Sadly, many people died due to rain-related incidents and road accidents. Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts are the worst hit. Houses are damaged and crops are lost. Authorities are working to clear roads and provide relief. People are advised to be careful.
The video has left many embarrassed. A video of a foreign tourist picking up trash at a scenic spot in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, has gone viral on social media.
Foreign Tourist Picks Up Trash at Himachal Waterfall, Sparks Civic Sense Debate
Viral video from Kangra shows foreign visitor cleaning litter as Indian tourists look on; netizens slam public apathy
The cumulative death toll has reached 135, of which 76 are due to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocution, while 59 deaths have occurred in road accidents, according to the SDMA's Cumulative Loss Report dated July 22, 2025.
Newlywed couple killed as landslides, flash floods wreak havoc in Himachal
CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall battered Himachal Pradesh, claiming the lives of a newlywed couple and disrupting connectivity across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extreme heavy rainfall in Shimla, Sirmaur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts and advised people to avoid travel. Several parts of the state have been receiving heavy showers since Sunday night. The newlywed couple was killed in Chamba after a boulder crashed onto their house while they were asleep. Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Mukesh Repaswal, said that a landslide hit two houses at Chari village of Chamba early in the morning. They had got married three months ago and were visiting the womans parental house at Chari when the incident occurred. The bodies have been recovered, he said. The heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides which have blocked the Chandigarh-Manali national highway at several points and cut off access to Kasauli, with over 401 roads shut across the state. The highway has been blocked at several locations, including Dwada, Jhalogi, Kainchi Mod, and near Pandoh in Mandi district, as well as NH-305 near Banjar in Kullu district, bringing traffic to a standstill. While the main route remains closed, an alternative route between Mandi and Kullu via Kamand and Kataula is currently open and being used to divert vehicles. Rescue and road clearance teams have been deployed to restore connectivity, but ongoing rainfall continues to hamper the efforts. As many as 401 roads across the state remain blocked due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, according to data released this evening by the State Emergency Operation Centre. Of these, 242 are in Mandi district, 55 in Kullu, 27 each in Shimla and Sirmaur, and 25 in Chamba. The report also noted disruptions to 682 electricity transformers and 151 water supply schemes. In Sirmaur, National Highway (NH) 707 remains blocked near Uttari due to falling debris. Meanwhile, in Solan district, traffic movement was severely disrupted as multiple routes -- including Kotli-Dharampur, Dharampur-Subathu, Dharampur-Kasauli, Jandauri-Pratha-Nabon, Kunihar-Totu, Waknaghat-Mamlig, and Kasauli-Jangeshu -- were hit by landslides following continuous rainfall. Massive traffic jams have been reported on these roads, forcing many travellers to take long detours or cancel their travel plans altogether. Most rivers and rivulets across the state are also in spate, prompting the opening of floodgates at the Larji and Kol dams as a precautionary measure. In response to the rising water levels, the administrations in Mandi and Chamba have also ordered the closure of schools in several areas of the two districts. Flash floods were reported in Churah sub-division of Chamba and Anni sub-division of Kullu following two cloudbursts. Meanwhile, a flood-like situation has emerged in several parts of Seraj in Mandi district, which had already been hit by flash floods on July 1. Continuous rainfall has forced the closure of schools in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, including Thunag sub-division in Mandi, and Kumarsain, Theog, Rohru, Jubbal, and Chopal in Shimla district. In Mandi, a vehicle was buried under a landslide near Thalot, while the Nakrod-Thalli bridge in Chamba district was washed away. In Shimla, the Jubbarhatti road was shut, leaving office-goers stranded for hours. So far this monsoon season, the state has witnessed 34 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 21 landslides, resulting in approximately Rs 1,235 crore in losses. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday spoke over the phone with the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to take stock of the situation caused by the ongoing spell of torrential rains. In light of the prevailing weather conditions, he directed officials to remain on alert and take proactive steps to prevent any untoward incidents. He also urged the public to stay away from rivers and nullahs. People's safety is our foremost priority. I request everyone to avoid going near water bodies and to strictly follow all advisories issued by the district administration, he said. Sukhu emphasised the importance of coordination among departments to ensure timely response in case of emergencies such as landslides, road blockages or flash floods. He directed that proper flow of essential services be ensured so that people do not face any inconvenience in their day to day activities. The chief minister also expressed grief over the death of the newly married couple at Sutaah gram panchayat of Rajnagar in Chamba district.
Orange alert issued in Himachal Pradesh; roads blocked, Kinnar Kailash Yatra postponed
SHIMLA: Several roads were blocked and the ongoing Kinnar Kailash Yatra halted due to incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh on Friday. The pilgrimage to Kinnar Kailash, the winter abode of Lord Shiva located at an altitude of 19.850 feet in Kinnaur district, commenced on July 15 and was to continue till August 30. However, the rains have rendered the journey unsafe and hence the pilgrimage stands halted until the weather clears up and the route is declared safe, Kinnaur Police said. The Lahaul and Spiti administration has also temporarily suspended bike rides on the Manali-Leh highway until further orders. Torrential rains have led to the closure of around 250 roads in Himachal Pradesh. Accoring to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 181 roads were closed in disaster-hit Mandi, 26 in Sirmaur and 23 in Kullu district, while 61 water supply schemes and 81 power distribution transformers were affected as of Friday morning. The local meteorological office has issued an orange alert for 'heavy' to 'very heavy' rainfall in isolated areas of the state on July 21 and 23, officials said. A yellow alert has been issued for 'heavy' rains at isolated places till Sunday. Meanwhile, 'light' to 'moderate' rains lashed parts of the state on Thursday evening. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths Jogindernagar received 40 mm of rain, Sarahan 38 mm, Jatton Barrage 28.6 mm, Kothi 28.4 mm, Shilaroo 26.4 mm, Murari Devi 26 mm, Narkanda 25.5 mm, Jot 23 mm, Poanta Sahib 22.2 mm, Dharamshala 21 mm, Palampur 19.8 mm, Kufri 18.1 mm, Shimla 16.6 mm, Dhaulakuan 14 mm, Manali 12.2 mm, Jubbarhatti 12 mm and Solan 11.2 mm Kangra and Palampur witnessed thunderstorms while Kufri and Bajaura saw gusty winds with speeds ranging from 37 to 39 kilometres per hour. The State Emergency Operation Centre said that from the onset of monsoon on June 20 to July 17, around 112 people have lost their lives -- 67 in rain-related incidents and 45 in road accidents. Around 199 people have been injured, while 35 are missing, it added. Himachal Pradesh, which has witnessed 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts and 19 landslides this monsoon, has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,220 crore, the department said. Meanwhile, officials said search operations are still continuing to trace the 27 people who were washed away in the cloudburst and landslides that hit parts of Mandi district on June 30 night. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is working around the clock to provide relief and rehabilitation to people affected by natural disasters. Sukhu said that Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur is in constant touch with him, as his constituency Seraj has suffered extensive damages. Besides Seraj, other areas including Dharampur, Karsog and Nachan have also been severely affected by the rains, Sukhu said in a statement, adding that Union ministers have been apprised in detail about the situation in these regions during his recent Delhi visit. I hope the people of the state will receive some relief when the Union Home Minister visits Himachal Pradesh, the chief minister added. He emphasised that rehabilitation of the affected people is a prime responsibility of the state government. Non-forest lands will be allocated to them, as the allocation of forest lands would require approval from the Central government. The state's priority is to reopen roads in the disaster-hit regions to ensure farmers and horticulturists can transport apples, vegetables and other produce to the markets without hindrance, Sukhu said. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed that the Himachal Road Transport Corporation has resumed mini bus services on several routes in Seraj from Friday.
Himachal Pradesh faced immense loss due to heavy rainfall. Landslides and flash floods caused 61 deaths. Road accidents claimed 44 lives. Mandi and Kangra districts were severely affected. Infrastructure suffered major damage. Monetary losses exceeded 78 crore. Many houses were damaged. Emergency teams are working on restoration. The State Disaster Management Authority is monitoring the situation.
Four die in Himachal, five in Rajasthan's Kota as rain plays havoc
NEW DELHI: Four people died in Himachal Pradesh as rain continues to wreak havoc in the state, while five were swept away in Rajasthan's Kota at a barrage after a heavy downpour caused the authorities to release water from a reservoir. In Himachal, more than 200 roads are out of bounds for vehicular traffic, a majority of them in Mandi, while a flash flood warning has been issued for 12 districts in Jharkhand. An individual each drowned in Kullu and Kangra districts, one died after being bitten by a snake in Bilaspur, while one was killed after falling from a height, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, 61 people have died in the state in rain-related incidents. In Rajasthan, Khatauli in Kota district recorded 198 mm of rain over 24 hours, the highest in the state. Five youths were swept away in the Chambal River Monday afternoon after the water level suddenly rose following the release of water from 12 gates of the Kota Barrage. The identity of the five missing youths is yet to be confirmed, as the rescued individual is not in a condition to provide detailed information at this stage, Digod Police Station SHO Purshottam Mehta said. Due to continuous rainfall in the region, the authorities opened all 12 gates of the Kota Barrage at 11.30 am on Monday, releasing approximately 2.2692 lakh cusecs of water downstream, said Nisha Sharma, Junior Engineer at Kota Barrage. A met department official said that a circulation system over Madhya Pradesh has intensified into a low-pressure area. Due to the system, parts of Kota, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur divisions have seen heavy rain since yesterday. Delhi got a decent drizzle towards the evening, lifting the heavy humid pall it had sweltered under during the day. According to IMD data, Lodhi Road recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 18.5 mm till 8.30 am on Monday. Pragati Maidan received 24.3 mm of rain, Ayanagar, 15.5 mm, Safdarjung, 15.8 mm, and Palam, 8.5 mm. In Himachal Pradesh, 208 roads, including 157 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, are closed for vehicular traffic, while 745 water supply schemes and 139 power distribution transformers were affected. The local Met office has issued an Orange alert of heavy to very heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur on Monday, and Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur on Tuesday. It issued a Yellow alert, meaning heavy rain, for at least three of the 12 districts till Friday. In Odisha, the weather department forecasted heavy rainfall in 19 of the 30 districts, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked system. The India Meteorological Department cautioned fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours in the north Bay of Bengal, as squally winds, blowing at 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, were likely to prevail along and off north Odisha. A red warning was issued for extremely heavy rain, above 20 centimetres, in Mayurbhanj, Keonhar and Sundargarh. Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore were predicted to receive 12 cm to 20 cm of rain. The remaining districts were forecasted to witness 7-11 cm of precipitation. Kolkata is likely to experience spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain is likely across South Bengal districts, as a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre here. In Jharkhand, a flash flood warning was issued for Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Gumla, Khunti, Latehar, Lohardaga, Palamu, Ranchi, Saraikela, Simdega, and West Singhbhum districts till 11.30 am on Tuesday. Surface runoff and inundation may occur in some low-lying areas, the IMD said. A Red alert was sounded for heavy to extremely heavy rain in Saraikela-Kharswan, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum districts, and an Orange alert for Gumla, Khunti, and Simdega districts till 8.30 am on Tuesday. The weather office has issued a Yellow alert for heavy rain in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Hazaribag, Giridih, Koderma, and Deoghar till 8.30 am tomorrow. Ranchi Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Abhishek Anand said the state is likely to experience widespread rainfall till July 17 under the influence of a depression and monsoon trough.
Tourist From Gujarat Dies In Paragliding Crash Near Himachal's Dharamshala
A tourist who sustained serious injuries after his paraglider crashed near Kangra district's Dharamshala city died in hospital on Monday, police said.
Flood fears mount as IMD issues orange alert for Himachal
Shimla, July 10: After three days of partial respite, Himachal Pradesh is once again under threat from renewed monsoon fury, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert today for several districts including Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmaur, warning of low to moderate flash flood risks and intense rainfall over isolated [] The post Flood fears mount as IMD issues orange alert for Himachal appeared first on Northlines .
CHANDIGARH: As heavy rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh, the local meteorological department on Tuesday issued a warning stating that there is a risk of low to moderate flash floods in the next twenty four hours in parts of seven districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. A 'yellow' alert warning of heavy rains in isolated places across the state till next Monday has also been issued. The state has received 203.2 mm of rain against the normal of 152.6 mm from June 1 to July 8. Monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 20. While Mandi district recorded 110 per cent excess rain, Shimla received 89 per cent and Una 86 per cent during this period. Many parts of the hill state have been receiving moderate to heavy rain since Monday evening. Meanwhile Gohar has recorded 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 84.5 mm in Sarahan, 60 mm in Baijnath, 54.2 mm in Nahan, 48 mm in Poanta Sahib, 46.2 mm in Naina Devi, 37 mm in Kasauli, 28 mm in Jogindernagar and 27.2 mm in Palampur. As per the data with the State Emergency Operation Centre in Mandi district, 14 people have lost their lives, four injured, 28 missing and 290 rescued, while 466 houses have been damaged and 477 people are in relief camps. A total of 225 roads, including 153 in the worst-hit Mandi district, have been closed, while 163 transformers and 174 water supply schemes have been affected in the state. 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts and 16 landslides have been recorded since the onset of monsoon on June 20. Since then, 85 deaths were recorded in the state, of which 52 were due to rain-related incidents and 28 fatalities were caused by road accidents. In Mandi district, search and rescue operations have been intensified as drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace 28 people who went missing last week in Thunag, Gohar and Karsog subdivisions. So far, the estimated losses due to rains stand at around Rs 692 crore.
The post McLeodganj: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama being greeted by Hollywood actor Richard Gere during the celebration of the formers 90th birthday, at Tsuglagkhang, the main Dalai Lama temple, McLeodganj, in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. (PTI) appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Himachal districts on alert amid heavy rainfall warning
The district administrations of Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur have been put on alert following a warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in these districts on Sunday.
Red alert issued in Himachal Pradesh for Sunday
It also warned of low to moderate flash-flood risk in parts of five districts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur in the next 24 hours
Delhi is under a yellow alert with forecasts of light rain. The maximum temperature will be around 33 degrees Celsius. Air quality is satisfactory. Himachal Pradesh faces a red alert for heavy rainfall in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi. Many people died and went missing due to cloudbursts and floods. The state government announced relief for displaced families.
Himachal Pradesh monsoon havoc: Over 260 roads closed, 3 districts under red alert for July 6
The local MeT office issues a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kangra, Sirmaur and Mandi districts on July 6
Rain Havoc In Himachal: Over 260 Roads Closed, Red Alert Issued In Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur
Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh blocked over 260 roads, including 176 in Mandi. A red alert warns of heavy rainfall in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi. Losses are around Rs 541 crore.
Human trafficking to US via dunki route: NIA arrests 2 accused, 1 each from Delhi, HP
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted searches at a location each in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh and arrested two accused for their key roles in human trafficking to the US via the infamous 'dunki' route, officials said on Saturday. According to officials, the arrested accused Sunny alias Sunny Donker of Dharamshala of Kangra district in HP, and Shubham Sandhal alias Deep Hundi of Ropar, Punjab, who was living in Outer Delhis Peeragarhi, were arrested on Friday. The officials alleged that both the arrested accused were associates of Gagandeep Singh alias Goldy, who was arrested in March on the complaint of a victim, who was trafficked to the US using the dunki route and was deported to India in February this year. The term dunki, believed to have originated from the word donkey, refers to an illegal pathway that immigrants take to enter countries like the United States without proper documentation and the risky and difficult travel is generally facilitated by one of the human-trafficking syndicates. The officials said that the NIA had filed a charge sheet in the case naming Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Tilak Nagar in New Delhi, in the case on June 27, as prime accused. According to the NIA investigation, Gagandeep used to take around Rs 45 lakh from each traveller and would promise to send them to the US on a valid legal visa, the officials said, adding that he used to send these people on a difficult journey via multiple countries, including Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, the officials said. Before his arrest Gagandeep had illegally sent more than 100 people to the US. Arrested accused Sunny, the main associate/donker of Gagandeeps gang, played a key role in facilitating the illegal travel, they alleged, adding that other arrested accused Shubham Sandhal was an important hawala courier operator, involved in transferring funds to donkers in Latin America. The NIA, which took over the case from Punjab Police on March 13, 2025, continues its investigation, the agency officials said.
NIA arrests 2 key men involved in human trafficking to US via dunki route
NEW DELHI, July 5: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two key men allegedly involved in trafficking of humans to the US via the infamous dunki route, officials said on Saturday. The arrests came after searches at a location each in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, they said. The accused, Sunny alias Sunny Donker of Dharamshala of Kangra district in HP, and Shubham Sandhal alias Deep Hundi of Ropar, Punjab, who was living in Outer Delhis Peeragarhi, were arrested [] The post NIA arrests 2 key men involved in human trafficking to US via dunki route appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: Amid the ongoing 90th birthday celebrations of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday raided the premises of a local communication centre in McLeodganj and arrested its owner on charges of human trafficking. He was allegedly sending youth to the United States through the illegal Dunki route. Sources said that a team of the National Investigation Agency raided the premises of Sunny, son of Ghindro Ram, who runs a communication centre near the Dalai Lamas temple. He is reportedly married to a Russian national who has been living with him in McLeodganj for several years. The sleuths of the agency have seized several items, including documents, computer hard drives and mobile phones. Sunnys bank transactions and foreign exchange activities had allegedly raised suspicions. Additional Superintendent of Police of Kangra, Aditi Singh said, The National Investigation Agency yesterday gave us intimation that they will be conducting a raid in McLeodganj regarding a human trafficking case. While today morning around 5 AM, a six-member team of NIA came from Chandigarh which was headed by an inspector-level officer. They raided a premises and arrested a 32-year-old person, Sunny. The raid was related to sending people illegally via the Dunki route to the United States. The raid went on for about four to five hours. A case was registered on charges of human trafficking, criminal conspiracy and other charges, she said.
CHANDIGARH: A day after a case was registered against Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh for allegedly assaulting and threatening two officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the minister has denied the allegations and demanded a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in road construction in the state. Singh, addressing the media on Tuesday, claimed that the First Information Report (FIR) against him was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the Bhattakuffar building collapse in Shimla, which he alleged occurred due to the NHAIs negligence and excessive hill-cutting during ongoing construction. He strongly denied all allegations, stating, A case does not make one guilty. The minister alleged widespread malpractice and corruption among NHAI officials, accusing them of colluding with private contractors and using substandard materials. He claimed that over 700 complaints have been submitted to Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Commissioners in Shimla alone, but no concrete action has been taken. Himachal Minister Anirudh Singh booked for alleged assault on NHAI officials following building collapse The NHAI is digging beyond the acquired land, Singh said. In Bhattakuffar, a building collapsed on June 30, and eight other buildings have been damaged and had to be vacated. The quality of construction is highly questionable. Referring to Union Minister Nitin Gadkaris comments condemning the alleged assault, Singh stated that Gadkari was not fully informed about the ground situation. He added that he plans to meet Gadkari soon to highlight the alleged corrupt practices of NHAI officials and urge the Central Government to frame a compensation policy for those affected by substandard and negligent construction. He also expressed concern about dangerous slope cutting practices in areas like Shimla-Parwanoo, Mandi, Kangra, and Jogindernagar, claiming that slopes are being cut at near-vertical 90-degree angles, while retaining walls are only 8 to 10 feet high leading to frequent landslides and structural damage. The case against Singh was filed at Dhalli Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 132 (voluntarily causing hurt), 121(1) (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty), 126(5) (wrongful restraint or confinement by a public servant), 352 (assault otherwise than on grave provocation), and 3(2) (liability of abettors in acts committed with common intention). The complaint was lodged by Achal Jindal Singh, who alleged that the minister assaulted him and his colleague, site engineer Yogesh Verma, inside a room in Bhattakuffar, Chamyana. According to Jindal, they had been summoned under the pretext of a meeting but were instead physically attacked. The alleged assault incident occurred shortly after a multi-storey building collapsed in Chamyana, reportedly due to ongoing four-lane highway construction by NHAI. Meanwhile, two more FIRs have been registered against NHAI and private contractor Gawar Construction Company by residents of Chamyana, alleging unscientific and negligent construction. Locals claim that their houses are now at risk due to the ongoing roadwork. Earlier, another case was filed against the same company and the NHAI following a complaint by Ranjana Verma, whose multi-storey house collapsed on Monday, citing similar allegations of negligence. As investigations continue on both sides, tensions remain high in the region, with residents and political figures alike calling for accountability and transparency in infrastructure development projects.
CHANDIGARH: With the recovery of five more bodies, the death toll in the three flash floods triggered by sixteen cloudbursts has now reached ten, with 34 people still missing in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, at least 370 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Mandi, Chamba, and Hamirpur districts of the state, as authorities continue search operations for the missing and work to restore blocked routes. The total damage to property in the hill state this monsoon season has so far been estimated at Rs 371.42 crore. Two bodies were recovered in Siyanj, Gohar, and one each in Thunag, Dhar Jarol, and Pandeev Sheel areas. The identities of the deceased have not yet been disclosed. The cloudbursts were reported at four locations in Gohar, three in Karsog, two in Dharampur, and one in Thunag, Mandi. As per the report from the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operations Centre, in the last thirty-two hours, the death toll has reached ten, all in Mandi district. Five individuals are injured, 34 people are missing, and 11 remain stranded. A total of 370 people have been evacuated, 316 from Mandi district, 51 from Hamirpur, and three from Chamba. Five dead, 16 missing, 332 rescued following flash floods in Mandi district in Himachal Additionally, 30 animals have died, and one hydroelectricity project has been damaged. A total of 24 houses, 12 cowsheds, one hydroelectricity project, and one bridge have sustained damage. Across the state, 282 roads are currently closed, 182 in Mandi, 37 in Kullu, 33 in Shimla, 12 in Sirmaur, six in Chamba, five in Hamirpur, three each in Kangra and Una, and one in Solan. Moreover, 1,361 electricity transformers and 639 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Two teams each from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with police and home guards, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations in the district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, at least 51 people have lost their lives and 22 others are missing, while 103 have been injured since June 20 following the onset of the monsoon. These rain-related incidents include flash floods, drowning, electrocution, falls from steep rocks, snake bites, and road accidents. A total of 204 houses, including 22 that were fully damaged (both pucca and kaccha structures), along with 84 shops, cowsheds, and labour huts, have also been damaged. The loss to private property is estimated at Rs 88.03 lakh, while damage to public infrastructure is far more extensive, amounting to Rs 283.39 crore, bringing the total estimated damage to Rs 371.42 crore. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall continues in several regions of the state.
One dead, 18 missing as flashfloods wreak havoc in Himachals Mandi; 41 rescued so far
CHANDIGARH: One person died and 18 went missing in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district due to flashfloods triggered by multiple cloudbursts in the Karsog subdivision early Tuesday. At least 41 people were rescued from various locations. The Kiratpur-Manali highway has been blocked at multiple places between Mandi and Kullu and the motorists were stranded inside road tunnels the whole night. Sources said cloudbursts occurred at at least four locations in Mandi district, triggering flashfloods that washed away several houses, vehicles, and bridges. As the incident happened early in the morning, many people rushed to safety. Meanwhile 16 people including 12 children and 4 women were rescued. A seven member family from Riki village was also rescued and relocated to a safer area. Meanwhile 18 persons are reported missing as two homes were swept away at Jayuni Khad by the tributary of the Beas River in Sianj Panchayat. Many houses and cowsheds were damaged or washed away in Syathi village in Dharampur subdivision but no casualties have been reported from the area so far. Around a dozen vehicles parked at Jail Road in Mandi were buried following a landslide. The Pandoh market was evacuated around midnight as a precaution after water levels in the Beas River rose dangerously due to the controlled release from the Pandoh Dam. No casualties or cases of people being trapped were reported. Fourteen people were evacuated from Raghunath ka Padhar and another eleven were rescued from Purani Mandi after a sudden surge in the Beas River as the dam gates were opened. On the other hand the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on the spot and actively monitoring the evolving situation. A flash flood was also reported in the Bagi rivulet in Kandi-Kataula area of the district. Vehicular movement from Mandi towards Kullu has been suspended for safety reasons. Volunteers from the district administration distributed food and water to the stranded people. Continuous rainfall has severely hampered efforts to clear the highway, which began late Monday evening. Due to heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of Beas river it has led to a sharp increase in inflow at Pandoh Dam thus the spill gates were opened to manage the water levels which, caused the river to swell downstream. Warning sirens are being sounded continuously and public announcement vehicles have been deployed to inform the public to stay away from riverbanks. The Larji Hydro Electric Project (126 MW) in Kullu also increased its water discharge due to rising water levels and high silt content and similar warnings have been issued to the public and tourists in the area. Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure all educational institutes including schools will remain closed in Mandi and Kangra district on Tuesday as well.
One dead, nine missing as flashfloods wreak havoc in Himachals Mandi; 41 rescued so far
CHANDIGARH: One person died and nine went missing in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district due to flashfloods triggered by multiple cloudbursts in the Karsog subdivision early Tuesday. At least 41 people were rescued from various locations. The Kiratpur-Manali highway has been blocked at multiple places between Mandi and Kullu and the motorists were stranded inside road tunnels the whole night. Sources said cloudbursts occurred at at least four locations in Mandi district, triggering flashfloods that washed away several houses, vehicles, and bridges. As the incident happened early in the morning, many people rushed to safety. Meanwhile 16 people including 12 children and 4 women were rescued. A seven member family from Riki village was also rescued and relocated to a safer area. Meanwhile nine persons are reported missing as two homes were swept away at Jayuni Khad by the tributary of the Beas River in Sianj Panchayat. Many houses and cowsheds were damaged or washed away in Syathi village in Dharampur subdivision but no casualties have been reported from the area so far. Around a dozen vehicles parked at Jail Road in Mandi were buried following a landslide. The Pandoh market was evacuated around midnight as a precaution after water levels in the Beas River rose dangerously due to the controlled release from the Pandoh Dam. No casualties or cases of people being trapped were reported. Fourteen people were evacuated from Raghunath ka Padhar and another eleven were rescued from Purani Mandi after a sudden surge in the Beas River as the dam gates were opened. On the other hand the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on the spot and actively monitoring the evolving situation. A flash flood was also reported in the Bagi rivulet in Kandi-Kataula area of the district. Vehicular movement from Mandi towards Kullu has been suspended for safety reasons. Volunteers from the district administration distributed food and water to the stranded people. Continuous rainfall has severely hampered efforts to clear the highway, which began late Monday evening. Due to heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of Beas river it has led to a sharp increase in inflow at Pandoh Dam thus the spill gates were opened to manage the water levels which, caused the river to swell downstream. Warning sirens are being sounded continuously and public announcement vehicles have been deployed to inform the public to stay away from riverbanks. The Larji Hydro Electric Project (126 MW) in Kullu also increased its water discharge due to rising water levels and high silt content and similar warnings have been issued to the public and tourists in the area. Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure all educational institutes including schools will remain closed in Mandi and Kangra district on Tuesday as well.
Red alert for heavy rainfall shuts schools in four Himachal districts; 44 dead this monsoon
CHANDIGARH: A red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of Himachal Pradesh has prompted the state government to announce the closure of all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, in four districts Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Solan. In a separate incident, a five-storey building collapsed in the Bhattakufar area of Shimla early today. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the building had been evacuated the previous night. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, one person each drowned in Una and Bilaspur districts, while another died after falling from a height in Shimla. As of this evening, 259 roads remain blocked across the state 139 in Mandi, 92 in Sirmaur, 20 in Kullu, four in Una, three in Solan, and one in Kinnaur district. In addition, 614 electricity transformers and 130 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Three people died in the last 24 hours, taking the total monsoon-related death toll in the state to 44 so far, and 82 have been injured. The causes of death include flash floods (8), drowning (6), snake bites (2), electrocution (2), falling from steep rocks (4), and road accidents (21). Shimla: Pedestrains amid rainfall, in Shimla, Monday, June 30, 2025. A landslide near Koti on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway (NH-5), which connects Shimla and Chandigarh, damaged sections of the road, resulting in a traffic jam stretching two to three kilometres. The collapse of the Bhattakufar building was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The footage shows the building initially upright, before a widening crack leads to its sudden and complete collapse, while heavy rainfall continues in the background. In response to the worsening situation, State Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi chaired a high-level meeting today to review monsoon preparedness. Officials from the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti, Electricity Board, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Revenue, and other departments participated. Four hydroelectric projects shut down, train services on Shimla-Kalka line suspended following heavy rain in Himachal During the meeting, it was reported that heavy rainfall had particularly impacted Kangra and Mandi districts, with machinery already deployed for emergency response. The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board confirmed disruptions to 968 transformers due to adverse weather, with restoration work underway. Likewise, 23 drinking water schemes under the Jal Shakti department were affected, and efforts are ongoing to restore services swiftly. A flash flood was also reported from Sarpara in Rampur, though no casualties have been recorded there. Negi directed the Disaster Management Authority to respond promptly to all incidents. Noting the presence of large dams in Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra, he instructed Deputy Commissioners of these districts to maintain heightened vigilance. Any violation of safety protocols will be dealt with strictly under the Dam Safety Act and the Disaster Management Act. He also urged tourists to heed weather advisories and avoid venturing near rivers and streams. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) across the state have been instructed to remain alert and ready to act.
CHANDIGARH: Four Hydroelectric projects with a combined capacity of more than 1,400 MW have completely shut down in Himachal Pradesh due to high silt levels after the cloudburst on June 25. The cloudburst unleashed floods across remote Sainj valley in Kullu district of the State, crippling nearly the entire hydropower corridor. The rail services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line, a UNESCO world heritage site were suspended after boulders and trees fell on the tracks following overnight rains. Two National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) projects have borne the brunt of the rains and cloudburst, which unleashed floods. As per the dam status report of the state emergency operations centre, as of 3 pm today, the 520 MW Parbati Project Phase III (PHEP-III) was incapacitated as the FRL (m) was 1330, while PRL (m) was 1301 as the inflow in the dam was 118.1 cumecs and the slipway out flow as the same. It is learnt that the trash racks buried beneath meters of debris, halting over 30 million units generation of electricity per day. While the 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project Phase II (PHEP-II) saw its entire powerhouse floor inundated with sludge, clogging draft tubes and disabling all four turbines. As per the dam status report of the state emergency operations centre the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) (m) was 2198, and inflow was 192.39 cumecs and the slipway out flow was 213.2 cumecs. The 100 MW Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Sainj hydel project also suffered the same problem. The FRL (m) was 1752 and Highest Flood Level (HFL) (m) was 1753, while the Present Reservoir Level (PRL) (m) was 1740, the inflow was 62.6 cumecs, and the slipway outflow was the same. The 126 MW Larji hydropower plant remains non-operational for twenty-four hours due to scheduled dam flushing. Due to pre-monsoon flushing in Larji Dam, all five spillway gates of Pandoh Dam were opened on Sunday morning, resulting in an increase in water level in the Beas River. About 44,000 cusecs of water is flowing in the Beas river, the silt level has increased to 4,000 ppm. The Baggi tunnel has been closed for the time being due to which power generation in Dehar Power House has been temporarily stopped, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) officials said. On the other hand, as per the report of the state emergency operations centre till today evening, a total of 129 roads were closed in the hill state, 57 in Sirmaur district, followed by 44 in Mandi district, 19 in Kullu, four in Una and Solan each and one is Lahaul and Spiti. Besides, 612 electricity transformers and six water supply schemes were affected. During this monsoon season, a total of 39 people have died in the State till today. Seven due to flash floods, six due to drowning, three due to falling from steep rocks, two due to electrocution and one because of snake bite. Over 19 people died in road accidents. The rail services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line were suspended after boulders and trees fell on the tracks near Solan's Koti area following overnight rains. The repair work is underway. The first train that was scheduled to arrive in the morning is halted at Koti railway station, while other trains have been halted at Gumman and Kalka. Videos of passengers, waiting for hours, expressing their anger, are also surfacing online. A landslide near Koti on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway (NH-5), connecting Shimla and Chandigarh, damaged a few stretches of the road, resulting in a two to three-km-long traffic jam for hours. An alternative route via Jangeshu road is also closed due to fallen debris, which is being cleared. Traffic from Kasauli towards Chandigarh will be diverted via Jangeshu once it gets cleared. Superintendent of Police of Solan, Gaurav Singh, said two-way traffic has been restored near Chakki mod on NH 5, which was damaged due to landslides and police teams are facilitating traffic movement. Stones, trees and debris have fallen at various places not only in Koti but also till Shimla. A bridge on the road leading to Himuda Complex near Truck Union in Barotiwala industrial area of Solan district has been washed away and the road to Himuda Complex Mandhala and Bagguwala has been closed. The Meteorological Centre at Shimla issued a red alert for downpour in 10 districts of the hill state. Of the 12 districts, a red alert for downpour has been issued for 10 districts Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Kullu and Chamba for June 29. The Met office has warned of landslides, waterlogging, damage to vulnerable structures, traffic congestions and disruption in essential services. An orange warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rains in isolated areas of the State on Monday and a wet spell in the state till July 5 is expected.
Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has caused significant damage, including landslides, waterlogging, and disrupted connectivity. Flash floods in Shimla, Kangra, and Sirmaur have resulted in loss of life and property, with 34 deaths reported since June 20. Efforts are underway to restore connectivity, and disaster management units are on high alert.
Himachal Flash floods: Death toll climbs to seven as another body recovered from Kullu
Despite bad weather, joint search-and-rescue operations undertaken by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and home guards are underway to find four missing persons (two each in Kangra and Kullu districts), officials said.
Himachal Flash floods: Death toll climbs to 7 as another body recovered from Kullu
The flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra and Kullu have claimed seven lives after another body was recovered. Rescue operations continue for four missing individuals amidst an orange warning for heavy rains. The earlier incident at a hydro-project site in Kangra resulted in six fatalities, with workers swept away by floodwaters.
Himachal flash floods: Search and rescue operation resumes
SHIMLA: (Jun 27) Search and rescue operation by joint teams of national and state disaster response forces, police and home guards to look for six missing people following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh resumed on Friday morning, officials said. These people are feared to have been swept away following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday. So far, five bodies have been recovered from a hydro project site in the Kangra district [] The post Himachal flash floods: Search and rescue operation resumes appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Himachal flash floods: Five bodies recovered so far, search and rescue operation continues
SHIMLA: Search and rescue operation by joint teams of national and state disaster response forces, police and home guards to look for six missing people following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh resumed on Friday morning, officials said. These people are feared to have been swept away following cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday. So far, five bodies have been recovered from a hydro project site in the Kangra district that was hit by flash floods on Wednesday while the search for three missing people is on. The teams are also searching for three persons who went missing at Rehla Bihal in the Kullu district after a cloudburst, officials said. Lovely from the Chamba district, whom the search teams rescued from a forest near the project site, said there were 13 people in the camp, of which five ran towards the hills while the remaining were swept by the gushing waters. We saw the floods coming and screamed to alert the people below before running to safety, Daya Kishan, a labourer, said. The project work had been suspended due to rain, and the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards them, sweeping several away, the officials said. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Baljinder Singh maintained that they are trying to trace the people feared to have been swept away from the project site. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Dharamshala Sudhir Sharma alleged that shelters were built near a stream, and not shifting labourers to safer areas when the weather deteriorated pointed towards negligence, which should be probed.
HP floods toll rises to 4; 15-20 swept away
SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA, June 26: With the recovery of two more bodies from a hydro project site in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district that was hit by flash floods on Wednesday, the death toll has risen to four, officials said on Thursday. Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday, while two more bodies were traced on Thursday, Additional Deputy Magistrate Kangra Shilpa Bekta said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The deceased have been identified as Chain Singh, a resident of Jammu and [] The post HP floods toll rises to 4; 15-20 swept away appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Flash floods claim 4 lives in Himachal, 3 in Jammu
While two bodies were recovered on Wednesday, the death toll climbed to four on Thursday after the recovery of two more bodies from the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site in Kangra district.
Pics: Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods In Himachal, 2 Dead, Several Missing
Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away due to cloudbursts that triggered flash floods on Wednesday evening in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra and Kullu districts.
Flash Floods in Himachal: 10 Still Missing After Cloudbursts in Kangra, Kullu
Two dead, several feared swept away as heavy rains trigger flash floods near hydroelectric project and villages
Himachal flash floods: Search operation to find missing people intensified, others rescued
SHIMLA: Search operations have been intensified to trace 10 people missing since the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal's Kangra and Kullu districts, officials said on Thursday. Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away due to heavy rains on Wednesday evening but some of the missing people have since been rescued. In Manuni Khad in Kangra district, around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in Manuni Khad of Khaniyara. Two people died due to the flash flood at the site. Three people at Rehla Bihal in Kullu district who were washed away in the deluge while trying to take away valuables from their homes are still missing. Two teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a team of home guards have been deployed at the spot and the National Disaster response Force (NDRF) has also been called for rescue efforts, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa after visiting the site. At the hydroelectric project site, six people are feared swept away by the floods while one person was seen fleeing to a nearby hill to save himself. His whereabouts are also not yet known, the DC said. The rest have been rescued safely, he said, adding that search and rescue is the first priority. Stranded tourist vehicles amid flash floods following cloudbursts at Manikaran valley, in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. A bereaved woman mourns after her family members were allegedly swept away near Bihari area amid flash floods due to cloudbursts, in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Some of the missing people hail from Nurpur and Chamba areas of Himachal Pradesh and others from Uttar Pradesh. A dedicated team has been sent to find the man who went into the hills during the floods. Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma who reached the spot on Thursday said the project site was one kilometer from his village. He said he received a call on Wednesday that the water level has surged and 15-20 people had been swept away. Sharma said that building sheds for labourers near the drain, and not shifting them when the weather was unsafe areas was negligence and an investigation should be initiated. The MLA also demanded adequate compensation to the family of the deceased. According to officials, the project work had been suspended due to the rain, and the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards the labour colony, sweeping several of them them away. In Kullu district, a search is underway to find three people who were swept away while trying to take away their valuables from their homes in Rehla Bihal area of Sainj. Three cloudbursts incidents were reported from Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal in Sainj and Shilagarh in Gadsa area of Kullu district. Flash floods were also reported from Manali and Banjar in the district, and search operations were underway.
Himachal Weather Alert: Cloudbursts and intense rainfall in Himachal Pradesh triggered devastating flash floods, resulting in two fatalities and several missing individuals across Kangra and Kullu districts. The deluge swept away homes and damaged infrastructure, causing key rivers like the Beas to swell. Rescue operations are underway as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and search for the missing.
Tragic cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh cause casualties and destruction, with rescue operations underway
Himachal Pradesh: 2 dead, 20 feared swept away as cloudburst triggers flash floods
Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away as cloudburst, flash floods and heavy rain wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Two bodies were recovered from the Manuni Khad in Kangra district. Read on to know more.
2 killed, 20 feared swept away in Himachal flash floods
Two bodies were recovered from the Manuni Khad in Kangra district while around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in the Khaniyara Manuni Khad.
Himachals rain fury: 2 dead, 20 feared swept away in Kangra; cloudbursts, flash floods ravage state
Flash floods were also reported from Manali and Banjar in the district, and search operations were underway, Kullu ADC Ashwani Kumar said
Three missing as cloudbursts trigger flash floods in Himachals Kullu District
CHANDIGARH: Three people were reportedly washed away after multiple cloudbursts triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu district on Tuesday, causing widespread damage to houses, roads, school buildings, and small bridges. Cloudburst incidents were reported from Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal in Sainj, as well as from Shilagarh in the Gadsa area, prompting local authorities to issue alerts for nearby regions. In Rehla Bihal, one man and two women attempting to retrieve valuables from their home were swept away in the sudden deluge and are currently missing. The heavy downpour led to a rapid swelling of rivers and streams, creating flood-like conditions across the district. The key Aut-Luhri-Sainj road was blocked, halting vehicular movement and cutting off access to several areas. Videos circulating on social media reveal the severity of the flooding, with footage showing vehicles being carried away by muddy waters and debris. Flash floods were also reported in Manali and Banjar areas within Kullu district, with search and rescue operations currently underway. Additionally, water from a flash flood in the Brahma Ganga drain in Manikaran Valley entered multiple homes, raising concerns of further damage. Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Director D.C. Rana stated that the Parvati River was in spate. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of fatalities or major property loss, but people are being advised to relocate to safer areas as a precaution, he said. Banjar MLA Surinder Shourie confirmed receiving multiple reports of damage due to intense rainfall in the Sainj, Tirthan, and Gadsa regions. He urged the public to remain cautious and avoid rivers and drains, while also calling on local authorities to respond swiftly to the developing crisis. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Lahaul and Spiti district, police reported the closure of the KazaSamdoh road due to landslides, debris, and overflowing drains. Water levels in both the Beas and Sutlej rivers have risen significantly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours. Districts expected to be affected include Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan, and Una.
Rains lash parts of Himachal; Met issues orange alert
Himachal Pradesh experienced moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday. The Met office issued an orange alert for heavy rain in several districts. Kangra received the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours. Thunderstorms and gusty winds were also reported. The southwest monsoon is expected to advance further. Police officials have been instructed to ensure preparedness for rescue operations.
Four dead in separate Himachal Pradesh tragedies; three drown, one killed in accident
CHANDIGARH: Four people lost their lives in separate incidents across Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, three due to drowning and one in a tragic road accident. In the first incident, two Kashmiri youths drowned in Baner Khad in Gram Panchayat Gahlian near Ranital in Kangra district. The deceased were identified as Rajendra Kumar (36) and Ashok Kumar (21), both from Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. They had been working as woodcutters and were living in a rented accommodation in Gahlian. Sources said the two, along with two friends, had gone to the ravine to wash clothes. Afterward, they entered the water to bathe but ventured into the deeper section and drowned. When they did not return for a long time, their other two friends started searching for them and found their clothes and mobile phones lying on the banks of Baner Khad. When they raised an alarm, the local people, including the Panchayat Pradhan and Deputy Pradhan, reached the spot and with the help of the people, divers took out the bodies, said an official. Police reached the spot, took custody of the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem examination at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College and Hospital in Tanda. In a separate drowning incident, 21-year-old Sheetal, a local girl, died while bathing in Jabbar Khad along the Defence Road in Dhakki village under the Nurpur police station area. Police took her body into custody, conducted a post-mortem examination, and handed it over to the family for cremation. In both drowning incidents, police have initiated inquest proceedings. Meanwhile, tragedy struck in Una district when a pick-up van fell into a 24-foot-deep gorge near the Peer Nigahe area, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 29 others. The victims were from Punjab and were returning after visiting shrines, including Baba Balak Nath and other local pilgrimage centres, when the accident occurred on Thursday night. Locals rescued the injured from the gorge and rushed them to Una hospital, where one of them succumbed to injuries. Two critically injured persons were referred to PGI Chandigarh. A case has been registered, and investigations are underway. On a separate note, light rainfall lashed Shimla on Thursday afternoon, providing much-needed relief from the sweltering heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast rain and thunderstorms in the area, which finally arrived, ending a prolonged dry spell. Rain accompanied by thunderstorm was also reported in Dharamsala, McLeodganj and the surrounding areas.
Six pilgrims injured after SUV rams into tree in Himachal's Hamirpur
HAMIRPUR: Six members of a family sustained serious injuries when their SUV rammed into a huge tree near Jolsapper village in Himachal's Hamirpur district on Thursday, police said. A two-year-old child escaped unhurt in the accident that took place when the family was on the way to the Jwala Mata temple in Kangra district. The injured, including four women, were taken to a nearby private clinic and then referred to the Hamirpur Medical College after providing first aid. One of the injured Chain Singh, a resident of Theog (Shimla), said he was going to visit the temple with his family in his new SUV when the accident took place. The SUV was damaged in the accident. Nadaun Police station in-charge Nirmal Singh said a case has been registered.
CM Sukhu launches Rs 100 crore development projects in Dehra, distributes land to Pong Dam oustees
SHIMLA, Jun 3: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for six development projects worth about Rs 100 crore in the Dehra assembly constituency of Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district and handed over land allotment certificates to 89 Pong Dam oustees. He laid the foundation stone of the Administrative and Diagnostic Block of the Hospital, Food Commissary and Quarantine at Durgesh Aranya- Zoological Park to be constructed at a cost of Rs 47.62 crore, according to [] The post CM Sukhu launches Rs 100 crore development projects in Dehra, distributes land to Pong Dam oustees appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Himachal: Man held after sensitive content related to Indias security found in his phone
Shimla: An 18-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after sensitive content which could endanger the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country was allegedly found in his mobile phone, police said. The accused has been identified as Abhishek, a resident of Sukahar in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district. Abhishek, reportedly a college dropout, has been booked Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Himachal: Youth arrested after 'sensitive' content related to country's security found in his phone
In Himachal Pradesh, police arrested Abhishek, an 18-year-old college dropout. He is from Kangra district. The arrest occurred on Thursday. Police found sensitive content on his mobile phone. This content could potentially threaten India's sovereignty. Authorities booked him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police had been monitoring Abhishek for several days.
Man Held In Himachal's Kangra On Charges Of Espionage, Mobile Sent To Forensic Lab
Urged PM Modi to ban apple imports from Turkey, Azerbaijan: Himachal CM Sukhu at NITI Aayog meet
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prohibit apple imports from Turkey and Azerbaijan. He highlighted the financial losses faced by local orchardists. Sukhu also discussed Kangra Airport's expansion, proposing a cost-sharing arrangement with the Centre. He sought financial aid due to ongoing reforms.
Severe Storm Uproots Trees, Kills Two in Himachal's Kangra; Mandi Faces Heavy Damage
Water rises in Himachal's Pandoh dam; flash floods block Sansari-Thirot road in Lahaul-Spiti
SHIMLA: Authorities of Pandoh dam in Mandi district on Monday cautioned the general public and tourists not to venture to the banks of River Beas as spill gates could be opened anytime. Water levels in the dam is rising due to rain in surrounding areas and melting glaciers, they said. Himachal Pradesh saw isolated weather events at different areas in the state on Monday. Thunderstorms in the morning led to falling of trees in Sundernagar area in the district, causing inconvenience to school children and office-goers. Dark clouds overcast the sky in Mandi and Shimla. Thunderstorms also lashed Kangra, Palampur, Jot, Bhuntar, Kalpa, Mandi and Sundernagar, the local Met office said. Flash floods in Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti district have blocked the Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot road. The police have urged the public to avoid travelling on the road after its clearance was obstructed by rains. Parts of Himachal Pradesh received light rain since Sunday evening. Mandi received 16.4 mm rain, followed by Jot 15.8 mm, Kukumseri 13.2 mm, Kangra 12.4 mm, Bharmour 12 mm and Pandoh 10 mm. Kangra and Jot witnessed hailstorm. Gusty winds with a speed of 37-54 kilometres per hour hit Reckong Peo, Hamirpur, Tabo, Bilapsur, Kufri and Sundernagar. The local Met office has issued an orange warning for light to moderate rains accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds with a speed of 40-50 kilometres per hour at isolated places in Una and Shimla districts on Monday. It has also issued a yellow warning for light to moderate rains accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 30-40 kilometres per hour at isolated places in Bilapsur, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan and Sirmaur districts. Light rain was predicted in Shimla and adjoining areas.
GoC White Knight Corps, Other Officers Pay Tribute To Subedar Major Pawan Kumar
Jammu, May 16: General Officer Commanding (GoC) White Knight Corps Lieutenant General P K Mishra and other officers on Friday paid tribute to Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, who was killed during Operation Sindoor and expressed solidarity with his bereaved family. Kumar, who was killed in shelling by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, was cremated with full state honours at his native village in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra on Sunday. GoC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the [] The post GoC White Knight Corps, Other Officers Pay Tribute To Subedar Major Pawan Kumar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Airlines asked to resume normal operations at 32 shut airports from May 15
NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday night expressed optimism that airlines would resume their normal operations to the 32 closed airports from May 15. He released a statement to this effect after holding a review meeting with top officials and representatives of all airlines in New Delhi. The Minister said, With the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) ending on 15th May, I suggested that airlines resume their normal schedules from the 15th across all 32 airports for which the NOTAM was issued. All airlines responded positively to this suggestion. A Ministry source said, At present, partial operations are taking place. The full-fledged operations will resume from May 15. This was the outcome after the meeting held on Tuesday. The NOTAM to close 32 airports in the North and Western India upto May 15 (5.29 am) was issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on May 9 as a precautionary step after the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 . A revised NOTAM by AAI said the airports would open for commercial operations from Monday (May 12) but leading airlines like Indigo and Air India had publicly stated they would not operate flights to specific airports on Monday and Tuesday (May 13). This was on account of unconfirmed reports of drone attacks by Pakistan at a few cities. Indigo operated a flight from Delhi to Amritsar but it had to turn back due to a sudden blackout imposed in Amritsar. Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 20px; } h2 { color: #d32f2f; /* A bold red color */ text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; } table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); } th, td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 12px 15px; text-align: left; } th { background-color: #c62828; /* A deep red */ color: white; } tr:nth-child(even) { background-color: #f2f2f2; } tr:nth-child(odd) { background-color: #fafafa; } tr:hover { background-color: #f1f1f1; } .bold { font-weight: bold; } Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations Airport Location Status Ambala Haryana Closed Hindon UP Closed Naliya Gujarat Closed Sarsawa UP Closed Uttarlai Rajasthan Closed Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir Closed Awantipur Jammu & Kashmir Closed Jammu Jammu & Kashmir Closed Amritsar Punjab Closed Chandigarh Punjab Closed Ludhiana Punjab Closed Patiala Punjab Closed Bhatinda Punjab Closed Adampur Punjab Closed Halwara Punjab Closed Pathankot Punjab Closed Bhuntar Himachal Pradesh Closed Shimla Himachal Pradesh Closed Kangra-Gaggal Himachal Pradesh Closed Kishangarh Rajasthan Closed Thoise Ladakh Closed Leh Ladakh Closed Mundra Gujarat Closed Jamnagar Gujarat Closed Hirasar Gujarat Closed Porbandar Gujarat Closed Keshod Gujarat Closed Kandla Gujarat Closed Bhuj Gujarat Closed Jaisalmer Rajasthan Closed Jodhpur Rajasthan Closed Bikaner Rajasthan Closed Air India Announcement: In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May. Indigo Announcement: All flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Rajkot, Srinagar, and Chandigarh are cancelled for Tuesday (May 13). Responses from other airlines are awaited.
Pak Ceasefire Violation: J&K Official, Security Personnel, Civilians Killed
A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, a resident of Shahpur in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, was killed in Pakistani shelling in Poonch on Saturday morning
'Bomb-like' iron piece falls in Kariyal village near Pathankot border, forms a crater
A mysterious, bomb-like iron object was discovered in Kariyal village, Kangra district, after villagers reported hearing explosions and witnessing a burning, rocket-like object falling from the sky. The impact created a crater in a paved road, prompting police to take possession of the unidentified metal piece. The incident occurred near Nurpur and Pathankot, raising concerns among local residents.
CBI Director Praveen Sood gets one year's extension
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday extended the tenure of CBI Director Praveen Sood by one year. Sood took over as the CBI director on May 25, 2023 for a two-year term. The decision to extend his tenure was taken in a meeting of the selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday, officials said. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), based on the recommendations of the selection committee, approved Sood's extension for a period of one year beyond May 24. Sood is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Karnataka cadre. He was working as Karnataka's director general of police (DGP) when he was named as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Born in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district in 1964, Sood joined the IPS at the age of 22 years after completing his civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He also holds a post-graduation degree from the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru and the Maxwell School of Governance, Syracuse University in New York. Sood, known for his hands-on approach, had supervised investigation of high profile cases involving high net-worth individuals and matters having inter-state and international ramifications. The tech-savvy officer had worked for the strengthening of the CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) and the ICJS (Interoperable Criminal Justice System) in Karnataka along with the judiciary.
Over 200 flights cancelled; 18 airports temporarily closed following Operation Sindoor
NEW DELHI: More than 200 flights have been cancelled and at least 18 airports, including Srinagar, have been temporarily shut for operations amid restrictions in the wake of the armed forces launching missile attacks on terror targets in Pakistan on Wednesday morning. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and a few foreign airlines have cancelled their services to and from various airports. Sources said that at least 18 airports in the northern and western parts of the country have been temporarily shut. These airports include Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala and Jamnagar, they added. According to one of the sources, more than 200 flights to and from various airports have been cancelled by airlines. IndiGo said it has cancelled more than 165 flights from various domestic airports, including Amritsar and Srinagar, till early morning of May 10 due to airspace restrictions. Air India flights to and from the following stations, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot, are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 10 May following a notification from aviation authorities on the closure of these airports, the airline said. #6ETravelAdvisory : Following aviation directives, flights to/from these cities remain cancelled until 10 May, 0529 hrs. Please check your flight status here https://t.co/ll3K8PwtRV . For rebooking or refunds, visit https://t.co/51Q3oUe0lP . We are heretosupportyou! pic.twitter.com/sLHHzIZ99w IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 7, 2025 In a post on X, the airline also said passengers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations. Due to government notification on airspace restrictions, over 165 IndiGo flights from multiple airports (Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Leh, Rajkot, and Srinagar) are cancelled until 0529 hrs. IST of 10 May 2025, IndiGo said in a statement. The airline also said that passengers whose flights are affected can reschedule the booking on the next available flight or opt to cancel their bookings at no additional cost, and a full refund will be processed. IndiGo operates around 2,200 flights daily. In an update on X, SpiceJet said airports in parts of northern India, including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar are closed until further notice. Departures, arrivals, and consequential flights may be impacted. The affected passengers can opt for a full refund or an alternate flight as per availability, it added. At least 35 flights to and from the Delhi airport, the country's largest and busiest airport, have been cancelled since 12 am, one of the sources said. The source said that 23 domestic departures and eight arrivals were cancelled. Pakistan closes airspace for 48 hrs after India's Operation Sindoor Besides, four international departures were cancelled. Foreign carriers, including American Airlines, cancelled some of their services from the Delhi airport. Due to notification from the airport authorities, flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon are cancelled till 05. 30 hrs on 10th May 2025. Important Travel Update: Due to ongoing situation, our flights to and from Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Kangra, Kandla & Amritsar are cancelled for 7th May25. Please visit our website or log into our mobile app to check your flight status before leaving for airport. #flyspicejet pic.twitter.com/0WyF6PSDw4 SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 7, 2025 Akasa Air, in a post on X, said that due to the prevailing situation in the region, all its flights to and from Srinagar have been cancelled. Regional carrier Star Air said its flights to/from Nanded, Hindon, Adampur, Kishangarh and Bhuj stand cancelled for the day. Kindly note, due to changing airspace conditions some flights have been impacted at Delhi Airport, DIAL said in a post on X. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Meanwhile, Qatar Airways, in a post on X, said it has temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan due to Pakistani airspace closure. In retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces, under Operation Sindoor, on early Wednesday, carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke. LIVE | Operation Sindoor: India says 'exercised right to dismantle terror'; NSA Doval briefs global counterparts
Tourists cancel Kashmir bookings, shift to Himachal after Pahalgam attack fallout
CHANDIGARH: Tourists now prefer vacationing in Himachal Pradesh over Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed. Approximately 15-20% of both domestic and international bookings have shifted from Kashmir to Himachal's popular destinations including Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala; however, the surge in footfall is not as expected as tourists have adopted a 'wait-and-watch' policy amid prevailing uncertainties and hostilities between India and Pakistan. Ashwani Bamba, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Kangra, told TNIE that, after the terror attack, tour operators and potential tourists inquired for booking in Himachal and Uttarakhand and that they expected the surge to be significant. But, actually only 15-20% of tourists shifted from J&K to Himachal and the rest probably prefer to not venture out during this summer season owing to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Thus, the occupancy of hotels across the state at present is around 40% only, the same as last year. Bookings that were shifted were that of tourist groups traveling from Maharashtra, Gujarat and other states, not the immediate bookings in Kashmir which had gotten cancelled, he said. Bamba added that, in Himachal, Manali had the maximum number of shifted bookings at about 20%, while Dharamsala, Dalhousir and Shimla had much fewer. He said that advance bookings had already been made for the IPL matches in Dharamsala. Kashmir tourism stumbles after Pahalgam terror attack, but industry leaders remain hopeful Mohinder Seth, president of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Stakeholders Association, said that tourists are adopting a wait and watch policy due to India-Pakistan tensions. On everyone's mind, there is only one question: What will the Union government do in the coming days? The common is just waiting for that. There were a lot of inquiries after the unfortunate incident as people got diverted from the Kashmir Valley, but the actual number of bookings are very less. In May, generally, there is about 30-40% occupancy across the state, after May 15 we are expecting that it may touch 60-70% as advance bookings are already been done, he said. This tragedy not only upended the tourism sector in Kashmir, but has also impacted the neighboring states of Himachal and Uttarakhand. Ex-President of Manali Hotel Association Mukesh Thakur said that after terror attack there was lot of expectation that the tourist rush will shift to Himachal and lot of queries had also come. But the number of booking which are less as, first, the tourists have to get their booking cancelled and take a refund and then again they will think where to go. Already as predicted that the summers will be hot this year so already there are lot of booking done in advance as far as Manali is concerned. At present around 30-40% occupancy in the hotels here and after May 15 as summer intensifies the occupancy is expected to touch more than 80% as already people have booked. Also is expected that in coming days more online bookings will be done. The tourism industry contributes 7.78 per cent to the GDP of the hill state. As per the Economic Survey report for Himachal Pradesh for 2024-25, the number of domestic visitors increased to 1.8 crore in 2024 from 56.32 lakh in 2021 while the surge in foreign tourists was 83,000 in 2024 from 5000 in 2021. On the other hand the tourism industry contributes 7.2 per cent to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir.
AIMSS Chamiyana to become first hospital in HP to offer robotic surgery, says CM
SHIMLA, May 1: Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties (AIMSS) at Chamiyana near Shimla would be the first hospital in the state to offer robotic surgery, followed by Tanda hospital in Kangra, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday while inaugurating the In-Patient Department in the hospital. Also, to cope-up with the patient load at Indira Gandhi Medical College hospital (IGMCH) Shimla and provide better healthcare facilities, some of its departments, including gastroenterology, nephrology and plastic surgery, have [] The post AIMSS Chamiyana to become first hospital in HP to offer robotic surgery, says CM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab tutor held for abducting student; boy rescued from Darjeeling after over a month
HOSHIARPUR: A 13-year-old boy, who was allegedly abducted by his tutor about over a month ago, has been rescued by the police and the kidnapper arrested, officials said on Sunday. Model Town SHO Sub-Inspector Gursahib Singh said the boy, a native of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, was currently living with his parents in a rented accommodation in Hoshiarpur. Studying in Class 7, the boy used to take tuition from Bhupinder Singh (51), a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, daily between 3 pm and 7.30 pm. According to the police, Bhupinder Singh somehow convinced the boy's parents to allow him to take the child to Shimla for two days. However, after taking the boy with him on March 12, he blocked all contact numbers of the family and prevented the child from speaking to anyone. The boy's parents searched for him on their own for around 18 days, but when they failed to trace the abductor and their child, they lodged an FIR. The FIR was registered at the Model Town Police Station on April 2 under relevant provisions of the law that deal with the punishment for kidnapping or abducting someone with the intent to secretly confine them. A hunt was launched for Bhupinder, who kept changing his location frequently to evade arrest. Eventually, police located him at a hotel in West Bengal's Darjeeling and arrested him two days ago. The boy was safely rescued. The police said the accused had taken the boy close to the Nepal border and there was a strong possibility that he could have crossed over into Nepal with the child. The rescued boy has been produced before the Child Welfare Committee, while the accused was presented before a court, which remanded him in four-day police custody for further interrogation. The police are investigating the motive behind the kidnapping.
Above normal temperatures in Himachal, Una records 40 deg C
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing unusually hot and dry weather. Una recorded a high of 40 degrees Celsius. The weather department forecasts rain in some areas on Sunday. The state has seen a deficit in pre-monsoon rainfall. Keylong was the coldest at night. High temperatures were recorded across several cities including Dhaulakuan, Bilaspur and Kangra.
Heart Attack Patient Dies In Ambulance As Ill-Timed Roadwork Causes Traffic Jam In Himachal
An ambulance carrying a heart attack patient in Kangra, got stuck in traffic, delaying access to Tanda Medical College and resulting in the patient's death
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh Police have heightened security measures across the state, particularly in border areas and popular tourist destinations. Border districts like Chamba and Kangra are on high alert, with increased surveillance, patrolling, and stricter checks at inter-state borders.
Kashmiri students assaulted, harassed across India after Pahalgam terror attack
SRINAGAR: After the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam , which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a resident, the J&K Students Association has alleged that Kashmiri students in different parts of the country are being harassed, abused and assaulted. We have been receiving multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students from Dehradun. The students feel threatened and insecure in the aftermath of a video released by Hindu Rakhsha Dal, warning Kashmiri Muslim students to vacate Dehradun by 10 am today, J&K Students Association national convenor Nasir Khuehami said. He stated that the situation is becoming increasingly grim and deeply concerning for Kashmiri students studying outside the region. The association has released a set of helpline numbers to support students in distress. We have received distress calls from Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, Chandigarh, where Kashmiri students were brutally attacked inside the hostel premises during the night, Khuehami said. He said Kashmiri students said local individuals and other students forcefully entered the hostel at midnight, targeting Kashmiri students with sharp weapons. Their clothes were torn, and at least one student sustained serious injuries. According to Khuehami, it is the 7th incident of Kashmiri students being at the receiving end after the terror attack on tourists in Baisaran, Pahalgam. He also alleged that a Kashmiri student was brutally thrashed in Amity University, Noida. In another incident, the Hindu Raksha Dal and other elements have issued written threats with to several colleges in Dehradun, demanding the expulsion of Kashmiri Muslim students within a set deadline. Pahalgam terror attack: Centre to brief leaders at all-party meet Many terrified Kashmiri students from BFIT College Suduwala Dehradun, have already fled towards Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun to save their lives, Khuehami said. He alleged that in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmiri students in Arni University, Kathghar (Indora) and Kangra have been harassed, abused, and physically attacked. The Kashmiri students are being intimidated, labelled as terrorists and coerced to vacate their accommodation under threats and violence, Khuehami alleged. We have also received distress calls from Kashmiri students and youth studying and working in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Landlords are asking them to vacate immediately, citing security concerns. Some have already left under pressure, he said. Pahalgam attack fallout: India suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Wagah-Attari border National President of J&K Students Association, Ummar Jamal, said the Association has established a dedicated response team to provide prompt assistance and coordinate with local authorities whenever necessary. The militant attack on tourists at Baisaran, Pahalgam, which is also known as mini Switzerland, has caused massive outrage in the Valley, and for the first time in 35 years of militancy in J&K, Kashmir observed a complete shutdown against civilian killings carried out by militants on Wednesday. Concerned over the incidents, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. Im also in touch with my counterpart, Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care, he said.
Kangra valley rail stations display artefacts to celebrate their rich history
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Several railway stations in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra valley, which are nearly 100 years old, have displayed artefacts and archaic types of equipment used in train operations over the years since their inception in 1929. A week-long exhibition from April 14 to 20 was organised to commemorate World Heritage Day on April 18. Stations, such as Kangra, Palampur and Pathankot, held several events and activities to display rare types of equipment like signal lanterns for night-time [] The post Kangra valley rail stations display artefacts to celebrate their rich history appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Trees Uprooted, Roads Blocked In Shimla As Storm Hits Himachal Pradesh, IMD Issues Orange Alert
Himachal Weather: Yellow and orange alert have been in place for several districts across state including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti.
