Hailstorm and thundershowers lash Himachal, mercury drops sharply
SHIMLA, May 4: Himachal Pradesh witnessed a sharp shift from the ongoing heatwave as widespread thundershowers, hailstorms, and strong winds lashed several parts of the state, disrupting normal life and bringing down temperatures significantly. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), hailstorms and thundershowers affected districts like Shimla, Kangra, Chamba, and Kullu, reducing visibility and causing inconvenience to residents and tourists alike. The State Disaster Management Authority also issued an advisory as gusty winds touched speeds of 50 kmph in [] The post Hailstorm and thundershowers lash Himachal, mercury drops sharply appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
In Himachal Pradeshs Kullu, 2 washed away in Malana rivulet while crossing temporary bridge
Himachal Pradesh, known as the 'snowy mountains,' is experiencing an unusual heat wave, prompting an alert across several districts. Temperatures in popular tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali have surged above normal, with Una exceeding 41C. The Meteorological Centre forecasts the heat wave to persist in Una, Kullu, and Mandi until April 30, with potential thunderstorms expected in early May.
Rushing to the hills to evade Delhi heat? Temp in Himachal already crossing 40C
Himachal Pradesh, known for its snowy mountains, is experiencing an unusual heat wave, prompting a heat wave alert for several districts. Una recorded a high of 41.6C, with similar conditions expected in Kullu and Mandi until April 30. Relief is anticipated on May 1 and 2, with forecasts predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across the state.
CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh Police is on high alert after receiving a bomb threat to blow up the office of the Mandi Deputy Commissioner yesterday. A similar threat was also received at the office of the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, which is located in the secretariat building in Shimla, said sources. The email referred to his office mentioned that something is going to happen in Tamil Nadu, and the timing to execute the threat in Himachal Pradesh would be adjusted accordingly. Speaking about the bomb threat, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena, said, two threat mails were received on Wednesday, one at his office in Shimla and the other at the deputy commissioners (DC) office in Mandi. The origin of both the emails is being traced and if necessary, help would be sought from the central agencies to arrest the accused. Both offices were vacated and sanitised. While nothing suspicious has been found so far, the authorities have been put on high alert, he said. Saxena further said that security has been strengthened at both places. Similar threats were received by some schools and airlines in the recent past, but fortunately nothing untoward happened, he added. In Shimla, the state secretariat premises were immediately sanitised, and security measures have been significantly reinforced. Also, access to the secretariat is now restricted, and all people entering the secretariat building are being checked. While the employees at the DC office in Mandi were allowed to work today after security checks, an appeal has been made to the public not to visit the office premises unless they have some urgent work. Superintendent of Police of Mandi, Sakshi Verma, said the Deputy Commissioner's Office was cleared after teams from the bomb disposal squad, CISF, dog squad, and three police teams from Mandi, Kullu and Bilaspur thoroughly checked the premises. Sources said that the police and intelligence agencies are currently working to trace the origin of the threatening emails, which were reportedly sent from a Gmail account. In the meantime, security has been intensified at all major government buildings across the state.
Thunderstorm, hailstorm batter parts of Himachal Pradesh causing widespread damage
CHANDIGARH: A squall accompanied by heavy rain and hailstorms lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday night, causing widespread damage and power outages were across the state. Shimla remained without electricity for several hours. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning in parts of the state on April 18 and 19. Meanwhile, heavy rains also lashed Punjab and Chandigarh. The squall struck Shimla around 11:15 PM plunging the town into darkness, the power supply was restored 10 hours later. The thunderstorm uprooted trees causing damage to vehicles, and blew off the roofs of makeshift houses. In the upper Shimla region, high-velocity winds caused significant damage to apple and stone fruit trees like plum and apricot. In many areas, fruit was knocked off the trees. Apple growers in Jubbal and Rampur reported major losses. The weather office has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur and Kinnaur districts on April 18 and 19. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti districts during this period. On April 20 light to moderate rains are likely at many places and at few places on April 21 and 22 due to fresh Western Disturbance, as a cyclonic circulation lies over the region. There was an appreciable fall in the minimum temperatures. Lahaul and Spitis Keylong was coldest at night with a low of 0.5 degree Celsius. As per MeT, Seobagh in Kullu district recorded the highest rainfall of 28.8 mm, followed by Lahaul-Spitis Kukumseri 23.8 mm, Narkanda 18 mm, Mandi 17.6 mm, Dharamshala 17 mm, Chamba 16 mm, Kalpa 15.6, Kufri 15 mm while the tourist resorts of Kasauli received 14.4 mm rain, Dalhousie 10 mm, Shimla 9.6 mm and Manali 6.8 mm. Heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, lashed many parts of Punjab and Chandigarh late yesterday night and in the early today morning. As per the MeT Department Chandigarh received 8.3 mm of rain, however, the sky became clear in the morning and residents woke up to sunny weather. While Amritsar received (4.5 mm), Pathankot (3.2 mm), Gurdaspur (18.8 mm) and Rupnagar (6 mm) and in neighboring Haryana, Ambala received a light shower.
6 Killed as Uprooted Tree Crushes Vehicles in Kullu
Four tourists among dead; several injured near Manikaran Sahib
Six killed as tree falls on vehicles near Manikaran Gurdwara in Himachal
Medical teams, police and revenue officials are present at the spot and coordinating the rescue and relief operations, Kullu Sub Divisional Magistrate Vikas Shukla told reporters at the spot.
Six dead, five injured after tree gets uprooted near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh
At least six people died and five were injured after a hollow tree was uprooted near the Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib parking area in Kullu on Sunday and fell on them.
Six dead in Himachals Kullu as tree falls on them
The incident occurred on the road opposite to the Manikaran Sahib gurdwara in Kullu
Six killed, five injured in landslide in Himachal Pradesh
CHANDIGARH: Six people, including three women, were killed and five others injured after a landslide occurred due to a tree being uprooted by a storm near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. The incident happened in the evening when pedestrians near the edge of a road were struck by a large tree that fell along with debris from the landslide. Approximately 20 pedestrians and a number of parked vehicles were caught under the fallen tree. Among those killed were a roadside hawker, a car driver, and three tourists who were present at the location. The injured individuals were taken to Jari Hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that the tree fell directly in front of the gurdwara, causing the instant deaths of two street vendors, a driver, and three tourists. Kullu Additional District Magistrate Ashwani Kumar confirmed the casualties, stating, Six people died and five were injured after trees were uprooted near Manikaran Gurudwara parking in Kullu. Police and rescue teams of the district administration have shifted five injured to the local community hospital at Jari. A police team, led by the Manikaran Station House Officer (SHO), promptly arrived at the scene and is currently coordinating rescue and relief efforts. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the unfortunate incident, The CM directed the district administration to extend all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He has also instructed officers to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. The Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert earlier in the week for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in several districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu. Earlier this month, heavy rains and snowfall had already caused disruptions in the region, leading to landslides and road blockages.
Himachal Pradesh: Six killed, five injured as trees uproot near Manikaran Gurudwara in Kullu
Six people lost their lives, and five others were injured on Sunday evening after trees were uprooted near the Manikaran Gurudwara parking area in Kullu.
6 Killed After Fierce Storm Causes Tree To Fall On Vehicles In Himachal's Kullu
A tree was brought down by a storm, which triggered a landslide, and fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu on Sunday.
Video: Man Screams Chale Gaye After Trees Fall On Cars In Himachal's Kullu
Several trees fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu this evening, and at least two people were buried under the trees. A relief and rescue operation is underway.
Shocking Video Exposes Bus Driver, Conductor Injecting Heroin In Himachal Pradesh's Kullu
The duo, aged 24 and 27, hailing from Khokhan and Shamsi in Bhuntar, were taken to the police station where their medical samples were collected for testing.
Yellow alert for heavy rain, snow in Himachal on Friday: IMD
A 'yellow' alert has been issued in Himachal Pradesh for heavy rain and snow, with light rain and snowfall already occurring in some areas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts, and heavy snow in Lahaul and Spiti district on Friday. Rain and snow are likely in various regions from March 11 to 17.
IMD Issues Orange Alert for Heavy Rain and Snow in Himachal Today
NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain and snowfall in some parts of Himachal Pradesh on March 3. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in certain areas. Even though the weather was dry on Sunday and temperatures increased, the alert has been issued due to the effects of recent heavy snowfall and rain on February 26, 27, and 28. The warning is mainly for Chamba, Kangra, and Lahaul-Spiti districts. Road Closures and Disruptions Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that repair work is in full swing, but 365 roads (including 3 national highways) are still blocked. Furthermore, 1,377 power transformers and 269 water supply schemes have been affected. The Revenue Minister also said that some avalanches occurred, but thankfully, there were no casualties or property damage. However, a man named Sant Ram fell into Jodh Nallah near Saach in the tribal Pangi Valley. Local people rescued him and helped him reach Saach. A government helicopter then airlifted him to Kullu, where he was admitted to the hospital. Rainfall and Temperature Update Some areas received light rain: Aghar 17 mm Pachhad 15 mm Jaton Barrage 3.4 mm Kufri 3.2 mm Chamba 2 mm The rest of the state had dry weather, and Una was the hottest place, recording 28.4C, which is 2.3C above normal. The coldest place was Keylong, with a low temperature of -11.8C. Weather Forecast The IMD predicts: March 3 Light to moderate rain or snow in some places. March 4 Moderate rain or snow in many areas. March 5-8 Dry weather expected. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir will also experience different weather patterns over the next seven days, with changes in temperature, humidity, and sky conditions. The IMD advises people to keep track of forecasts for better planning.
NEW DELHI: Heavy rains and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh triggered landslides and caused roadblocks on Saturday, disrupting normal life in the state, as several other parts of north India received showers. In Uttarakhand, 50 workers trapped in an avalanche in the Chamoli district were rescued, but four of them died on Saturday as rescuers raced against time to save the remaining five. The strategic 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was shut on Thursday evening following heavy snowfall and multiple landslides in the Ramban district, was reopened for light motor vehicles after the weather improved, and road restoration work was carried out. Parts of Delhi, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh received showers on Saturday. A day after an avalanche buried 55 labourers alive at a BRO camp in Mana village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, 50 of them were pulled out of the snow, but four of them died. The search is on for the remaining five. The avalanche hit the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath between 5.30 am and 6 am on Friday, according to the Army. Thirty-three of them were rescued by Friday night. Rain and snowfall hampered the rescue efforts on Friday, and the operation was suspended as the night fell. As the weather cleared up on Saturday morning, the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel based in Mana resumed the rescue operation, District Disaster Management Officer N K Joshi said. Six helicopters, including three of the Indian Army Aviation, two of the IAF and one civil copter hired by the Army, are engaged in the rescue operations, an Army spokesperson said. Located three kilometres from Badrinath, Mana is the last village on the India-Tibet border at a height of 3,200 metres. Uttarakhand avalanche: Four laborers succumb to injuries, five still missing In neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains and snowfall disrupted normal life in several parts of the state, triggering landslides, blocking roads and huge mounds of debris swept by gushing waters damaging vehicles in Kullu. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains and cloudbursts at Rokaru in the Kangra district damaged several vehicles and endangered 12 houses. The affected families have been relocated to safer places, and restoration work is in progress, said Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj. One person was reported missing near the Shiva Hydropower project in Palampur, and a search operation has been launched to trace him, officials said. Tribal Pangi valley in Chamba was cut off following heavy snowfall, and electricity and telecommunication services have been disrupted. A landslide at Tohlu nullah blocked the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, leaving tourists stranded. A total of 112 roads were closed in Kullu, and work is in progress to power 1,646 transformers. The Kullu-Manali Road was also closed, and traffic was being diverted via Naggar while the electricity supply was yet to be restored in Manikaran and Manali, officials said. Meanwhile, the state received moderate to heavy snowfall and rain during the past 24 hours. In Jammu and Kashmir, the restoration of the 66-km Banihal-Nashri stretch on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was intensified on Saturday morning after the weather conditions improved. Heavy rains had triggered shooting stones, mudslides and landslides at a dozen places, including Kishtwari Pather, Moum Passi, Hingni, Panthiyal, Mehar and Dalwas, while snowfall between Qazigund and Ramsu left the road slippery. A side of the road near Mehar has caved in, while a major landslide has blocked one tube of the Kunfer-Peerah tunnel. The road repair was hampered by continuous rains on Friday, officials said. Ramban deputy commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary said there are at least 16 locations along the 66-km road stretch that were rendered vulnerable by the rains. The national capital saw light rain on Saturday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 16.6 degrees Celsius, 4.1 notches above the seasonal average. Delhi recorded 2 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am on Saturday. Rainfall measurements at various weather stations included 1.8 mm at Safdarjung, 1.0 mm at Palam, and 4 mm at Pitampura. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in parts of Rajasthan on Saturday, where a maximum of 28 mm rainfall was recorded in Churu, followed by 18 mm in Chirawa (Jhunjhunu), the weather department said.
Heavy rains, snowfall triggers landslides in Himachal, 112 roads blocked in Kullu
Heavy rains and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh caused significant disruption, including landslides and roadblocks, particularly in Kullu, Kangra, and Chamba districts. Several houses and vehicles were damaged, and essential services like electricity and water supply were affected. Efforts are ongoing to clear the debris and restore normalcy.
Snow, rainfall disrupts life in Himachal: 583 roads blocked; power and water supply affected
Heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh have blocked 583 roads, including 5 National Highways, and downed 2263 distribution transformers, affecting power supply. The Chief Minister has urged caution, especially near rivers and streams, as floods and landslides disrupt Kullu and nearby districts.
Heavy snowfall, rains trigger landslides in Himachal Pradesh, key roads blocked
Shimla, Feb 28: Heavy snowfall and rains in Himachal Pradesh triggered landslides and blocked key roads and national highways on Friday, throwing normal life out of gear in many areas. Intermittent heavy snowfall and rains for the third day have blocked highways. About 200 roads have been closed due to heavy snowfall across the state, cutting off several areas in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Shimla districts from the rest of the state, officials said. Officials said all [] The post Heavy snowfall, rains trigger landslides in Himachal Pradesh, key roads blocked appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Heavy Rains, Snowfall Cause Chaos in Himachal, Roads Blocked, Vehicles Swept Away
KULLU - HIMACHAL PRADESH: Heavy rains and snowfall have caused major problems in Himachal Pradesh, leading to landslides and road closures. Many highways and key roads were blocked on Friday, making it difficult for people to travel. For the third day in a row, the state has been experiencing heavy rain and snowfall, affecting normal life. Around 200 roads have been shut down, cutting off areas like Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, and Shimla from the rest of the state, officials said. Due to the bad weather, all schools and colleges have been closed in Chamba and Manali. However, CBSE board exams will still take place as planned. Authorities have also warned people about possible avalanches in higher regions above 2,300 meters and advised them to stay indoors and take precautions. Many major roads are blocked due to snow. The Hindustan-Tibet road (NH-5) is closed at Narkanda, while roads connecting Dodra-Kwar and Deha-Chopal are also not accessible. The Theog-Hatkoti Highway near Kharapathar village, which is at an altitude of 8,770 feet, has also been shut down. In Kullu, heavy rains have flooded areas like Akhara Bazaar and Gandhi Nagar. Water from overflowing rivers entered the streets, damaging parked vehicles. Authorities have stopped vehicle movement beyond Nehru Kund because of fresh snowfall in places like Solang Nallah, Gulaba, Atal Tunnel, and Rohtang. A landslide at Banala has also blocked the Manali-Kiratpur National Highway, and work to clear it has been delayed due to falling rocks, police said. Many roads in remote valleys remain blocked due to snowfall and continuous rainfall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by News Track Live (@newstracklive) According to weather reports, Kothi received the highest snowfall of 120 cm by 8:30 am, followed by Khadrala (115 cm), Keylong (75 cm), Kalpa (46 cm), Kukumseri (38.8 cm), Sangla (23.5 cm), and both Nichar and Moorang (15 cm each). Lower and mid-hill areas are also facing problems due to heavy rains. Seobagh recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 113.2 mm, followed by Bhuntar (113.2 mm), Banjar (112.4 mm), Jogindernagar (112 mm), Salooni (109.3 mm), Palampur (99 mm), Chamba (97 mm), Baijnath (75 mm), Kangra (74 mm), Rohroo (70 mm), Kufri (59 mm), and Shimla (54.5 mm). The sky remains dark and cloudy, and the meteorological department has issued an orange alert for heavy snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and higher areas of Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts. Light to moderate rain is expected, with heavy rainfall at some isolated places in Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts.
Heavy snowfall disrupts roads, power supply in Himachal Pradesh
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh has been severely impacted by heavy snowfall and widespread rainfall, leading to the closure of more than 200 roads and disruptions in power and water supply. Several areas, particularly in the districts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Chamba, have been cut off from the rest of the state. The weather conditions have also forced the closure of educational institutions in Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba districts. Due to heavy snowfall, several key routes, including Darcha-Shinkula, Darcha-Sarchu, Koksar-Manali via Rohtang, Koksar to Losar via Kunzum, and Atal Tunnel to Manali, Tindi, and Udaipur roads, have been blocked. Authorities have advised travelers to avoid these routes for safety reasons. An avalanche alert has been issued, and the general public is urged to refrain from visiting high-altitude areas prone to avalanches. The police in Lahaul and Spiti stated, The general public is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting high-altitude areas prone to avalanches. In the Dodra-Kwar region of Shimla district, heavy snowfall continues, shutting down all roads leading to the valley. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange warning for Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and areas above 2,300 meters, warning of an increased risk of avalanches in higher-altitude regions. The precipitation is expected to continue with the same intensity throughout the day. Meanwhile, panic spread among residents of Manikaran Valley in the Kullu district following the formation of an artificial lake in Jeera Nallah in Tosh village, which has created a flash flood threat. Authorities have evacuated people living downstream to safer locations. The state also remains on high alert for avalanches following fresh snowfall in the region. In Shimla district, 12 roads have been closed due to the harsh weather. The Hindustan-Tibet Road (National Highway 5) has been shut down near Narkanda due to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall. As a result, traffic has been diverted from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri and Sunni. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for light to moderate snowfall at most places, with isolated spells of very heavy snowfall expected in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, as well as in the higher reaches of Chamba, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Manali. Since last night, continuous rainfall has been recorded in Shimla. A yellow alert has been issued for more rain and light snowfall in the city and surrounding areas. However, educational institutions in the state capital have remained open. Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest temperature at night, dropping to minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, while Nahan was the warmest during the day with a high of 23.2 degrees Celsius.
Himachal: New Ropeway To Transform Access To Kullus Scenic Lug Valley And Paragliding Point
Orange warning issued for heavy snow, rains in parts of Himachal
The local MeT has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rains and snow at isolated places in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu and Chamba districts
Heavy snowfall cuts off Lahaul Valley, Manali-Leh Highway closed
CHANDIGARH: The Manali-Leh Highway has been closed for vehicular traffic following heavy snowfall in higher areas of several districts in Himachal Pradesh, cutting off Lahaul Valley from the rest of the state and leaving both locals and tourists stranded. With snow accumulation reaching up to 60 cm on the road connecting the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel to Keylong-Jispa, the route has become impassable. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti is experiencing severe weather conditions. In response, the Lahaul-Spiti police have issued a travel advisory urging all travellers to avoid the Manali-Leh route until further notice. The closure has significantly impacted transportation, halting vehicular movement on the affected stretch. Road users have been advised to remain patient and stay updated through official channels regarding road conditions and weather. Tourists planning to travel in or out of the area have been urged to adjust their plans accordingly. Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, Rahul Kumar, stated that efforts to restore road connectivity would begin as soon as weather conditions improve. The Border Roads Organisation and the PWD are on standby and will deploy their workforce and machinery to clear key roads once the weather permits, he said. Kumar also cautioned people against unnecessary travel, particularly into high-altitude areas prone to snow avalanches. Following heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Manali, roads beyond Nehru Kund have been closed to most vehicles. Additionally, National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) has been shut at Narkanda due to snow, with traffic now being diverted from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri. Since Wednesday night, Shilaroo recorded 5 cm of snowfall, followed by Gondla with 3 cm, Kalpa 1.3 cm, and Sangla 0.3 cm. The upper areas of Manali, Narkanda, Rohru, Chansal, and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti also witnessed snowfall. Several areas across the state received light to moderate rainfall, with Dalhousie recording the highest at 22 mm, followed by Sundernagar with 21 mm, Bharmour 18.2 mm, Dharamshala 16.8 mm, Manali 16 mm, Mandi and Kangra 14.4 mm each, Bhuntar 13.6 mm, Bilaspur 13 mm, and Una 10 mm. The state capital, Shimla, was lashed by thunderstorms and received mild rainfall. The Met Office has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall, snowfall, and thunderstorms in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi on Thursday. It also warned that a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from 24 February onwards. The state has recorded an average rainfall of 33 mm during the winter season from 1 January to 20 February, significantly below the normal of 154 mma deficit of 79 per cent.
CHANDIGARH: A recent decision to develop a new nature park with jacuzzi hot baths at Kasol, a much sought after tourist destination, in the Parvati Valley of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh has met with opposition. The opposition arose out of a proposal to divert water from Manikaran to Kasol. Manikaran is a pilgrimage site sacred for both Hindus and the Sikhs. The local people argue that to divert sacred water from Manikaran for commercial purpose is unacceptable. It was during a recent meeting of the Special Area Development Authority (SADA) that the decision to develop a new park in Kasol with a hot bath facility was arrived at. The meeting resolved to divert water from Manikaran through pipes to the proposed park. The distance between Manikaran and Kasol is about five kilometers. However, the local people threatened to launch an agitation against the diversion of holy water from Manikaran. Manikaran is a pilgrimage site. Therefore, no one should be allowed to misuse the holy water. If the government wants to build hot baths, it should develop such facility in Manikaran itself, a local resident said. The BJP leaders maintained that even the local deities would be against diverting water from Manikaran for the purpose of hot baths. Last week former MP Maheshwar Singh also opposed the decision to divert water from Manikaran to the proposed nature park. The local people have already submitted a petition against the proposed park to Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh. While confirming the same, Raveesh said the proposal is in a preliminary stage and it is yet to be decided wherefrom water should be diverted. Sunder Singh Thakur, local Congress MLA said that there was a proposal for utilization of spill over water in Manikaran but now we have found an alternative with digging of hot water springs in Kasol itself. He said it should be ensured that the holy water is not used for commercial purposes. Some people are against the development of the region and oppose the development works, he added.
IIT study: 40% of Himachal at high risk of landslides, floods & avalanches
CHANDIGARH: Forty-nine per cent of Himachal Pradesh is prone to medium-risk and 40% to high-risk landslides, floods and avalanches, according to a recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Ropar. The conclusions were presented at the Indian Cryosphere Meet (ICM) held at the IIT-Bombay last week, attended by 80 glaciologists, researchers, scientists, and other experts from around the world. The IIT is now conducting similar studies in the Northeast, J&K and Uttarakhand, adding another criterion to examine GOLF (Glacier Lake Out Burst Flood). MTech scholar Daishisha Lawphniaw conducted the study under the guidance of Reet Kamal Tiwari from IIT-Ropar, using GIS-based mapping, the study classified hazard-prone regions. Tiwari told this newspaper, The states upper reaches are more prone to avalanches, whereas the middle and lower parts of the state are more prone to flood and landslides. The study stated that high-altitude areas in Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts are highly prone to avalanches, while Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Chamba districts are prone to flood and landslides. The study highlights that steep mountain slopes and elevations above 3,000 meters are at the highest risk. Higher-altitude regions with slopes between 16.8 degrees and 41.5 degrees are more likely to experience both avalanches and landslides. Areas with mean slopes ranging from 5.9 degrees to 16.44 degrees and mean elevations up to 1600 meters are predominantly prone to both landslides and floods, whereas the combined occurrence of avalanches and landslides is most likely in regions with slopes of 16.86 degrees to 41.54 degrees at higher elevations, states the study. The study highlights importance of knowledge about the cascading effects of disasters. Hill tale 49% prone to medium-risk High-altitude areas in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti highly prone to avalanches Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Chamba prone to flood and landslides Steep mountain slopes and elevations above 3,000 metres at highest risk Higher-altitude regions with slopes between 16.8 degrees and 41.5 degrees more likely to experience both avalanches and landslides Areas with mean slopes and elevations predominantly prone to both landslides and floods
Himachal's Tourist Hotspots Receives Fresh Snow, Met Department Predicts Thunderstorms Ahead
Isolated places in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, and Chamba districts received snow.
Fresh snowfall in popular tourist towns of Himachal; Met issues thunderstorm warning
Shimla, Feb 5: Fresh snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, with the Met office issuing a yellow alert for thunderstorm and lightning in some districts on Wednesday. Isolated places in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, and Chamba districts received snow. According to the Met office, snowfall was recorded in the famous tourist resort towns of Narkanda and Kufri in Shimla district, Dalhousie in Chamba, and Manali and adjoining areas in Kullu. There were also reports [] The post Fresh snowfall in popular tourist towns of Himachal; Met issues thunderstorm warning appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu's Risk Analysis Post After Paragliding Accident Kills Young Entrepreneur
Jeyesh Ram, the son of Sridhar Vembu's close friends, died in a paragliding accident in Kullu, Manali, on Friday.
Jayesh Ram, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, tragically died in a paragliding accident in Kullu. Sridhar Vembu attended his funeral and urged for stricter safety measures in adventure sports. Vembu emphasized the need for regulatory oversight to prevent such incidents and remembered Jayesh as a promising and kind entrepreneur.
2 Tourists Die In Separate Paragliding Accidents In Himachal
Two tourists died in two separate paragliding accidents in Kangra and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh within a span of 24 hours. The tourists were from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, police said on Saturday.
Himachal Pradesh: People threaten to launch mass agitation against hydroelectric projects
CHANDIGARH: People are up in arms against the Himachal Pradesh government's plan to commission mega hydroelectric projects in the Chenab basin located across Kullu, Chamba,Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla districts. The projects ranging from 6.5 MW to 400 MW pose significant threat to the delicate ecosystem of the region as it is home to fragile Himalayan glaciers and diverse biodiversity. The local residents, social activists and environmentalists have expressed serious concern over the projects. They have threatened to launch a mass agitation in Lahaul Spiti if the state government goes ahead with the plan. Talking with this newspaper, Advocate Sudarshan Thakur, a member of the people's movement against the 400 MW Seli hydro project around a decade back says, he main reason for opposing these large-scale hydroelectric projects in the Chenab basin is the seismic vulnerability of environmentally fragile Lahaul and Spiti as it is situated in seismic zones 4 and 5. This makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes and has a potential for widespread environmental damage. Moreover, the other reasons for opposing the project include climate change and unbridled development carried out with an eye on local tourism potentials. Thus these projects could exacerbate the regions vulnerability to natural disasters such as landslides and floods, the advocate said. Instead of going for big projects the government should look at the possibilities of small projects which are of 10 to 25 MG upto a maximum of 100 MG which does not require construction of dams and are environment-friendly. Already in few villages cracks have appeared in houses in Lindoor village, he added. Guman Singh, an environmentalist and coordinator of Himalaya Niti Abhiyan said, These mega hydel projects should be banned above 6000 feet height across Himalayan region especially in the Chenab basin of Lahaul Spiti as it is frangile area and can cause soil erosion, landslides also in depletion of glaciers and making a glacier of lakes and they can burst any time. As human activity will increase in this region the depletion of glaciers will also increase many fold as temperatures will rise. These mega-projects can cause habitat destruction, deforestation, and even displacement of communities. The government should not set-up these hydro projects in the eco-sensitive zones like Lahaul Spiti. Look at Kinnaur, how hydro projects have turned that place into a constant landslide zone, he said. Stressing the importance of promoting eco-tourism and emphasizing the need for sustainable development practices in the region, The Save Lahaul and Spiti Society, President BS Rana said, we strongly oppose the commissioning of mega hydroelectric projects in the Chenab Basin as these projects pose far more risk than beneficial. Many local residents believe that large-scale hydropower projects could irreversibly damage the environment of the Himalayan region, impacting water quality, agriculture and wildlife. The state government had recently announced 22 hydro-projects in Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Shimla districts ranging from 6.5 MW to 400 MW, with a combined capacity of 828 MW. Out of the proposed 22 projects, nine projects with a total capacity of 595 MW in the Chenab basin of Lahaul Spiti and 8 projects of 169 MW capacity will come up in the Satluj river basin, four projects of 55 MW in the Ravi basin, and one project of 9 MW in the Beas basin. Successive state governments in the last two decades have allotted at least seven hydro projects in Lahaul Spiti in Jispa, Rashel, Tandi, Bardang, Miyar, Tindi, Seli, and Reoli villages. But none of these projects have taken off due to stiff resistance from the locals.
