Mandi farmers struggle to transport produce due to 148 blocked roads after a cloudburst, threatening apple and tomato harvests. Perishable crops face spoilage. Leaders urge faster restoration, with the administration working on temporary solutions and aid.
Himachal Pradesh
A GSI team and 14 porters were stranded in Pangi Valley after flash floods destroyed a culvert. A joint rescue operation by local authorities successfully evacuated all 17 individuals from the high-altitude region, demonstrating commendable coordination and bravery.
Flashfloods and heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh have caused losses of Rs 1,753.63 crore and claimed 106 lives. The Public Works Department and Jal Shakti Department have suffered the most damage. 266 roads are closed. The Met Department has issued warnings for heavy rainfall through August 8.
Heavy rainfall in Dharamsala and McLeodganj has devastated the tourism industry. Hotel occupancy has plummeted, with significant cancellations and decreased bookings. Landslides, road closures, and flight reductions further impact the situation, leading to deserted markets and economic losses.
Devastating rainfall and landslides have severely impacted tourism in Kullu and Manali. Tourist footfall has plummeted, leading to mass cancellations and low hotel occupancy, primarily due to highway blockades and safety concerns. Tourism stakeholders are hopeful for recovery after the monsoon season.
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The NGT fined Himachal Pradesh's Chief Secretary and State Pollution Control Board's Member Secretary Rs 10,000 each for failing to submit a detailed report on polluting sewage treatment plants. The tribunal found STPs non-compliant and requested information on environmental compensation for violators.
Senior Himachal Pradesh ministers accused the Chief Minister's Office of interfering in their departments. They complained about centralized power, inequitable fund distribution, and a lack of political appointments. The high command, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, addressed these concerns and urged teamwork.
An Alto car crashed into a gorge near Janjheli-Chhatri road in Mandi district, resulting in three fatalities and two serious injuries. The accident, likely caused by rain-damaged roads and a collapsed retaining wall, happened after the passengers finished apple season work. Police are investigating the cause. Local residents demand road repairs.
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Experts blame ecological degradation, call for sustainable planning
BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur criticized the Sukhu government's reintroduction of the lottery system, citing past suicides linked to it. He stated the previous government banned it after initially starting it. Thakur also revealed he resisted pressure from the 'lotteries lobby' during his tenure.
A new 40-km road between Nalagarh and Chandigarh, jointly built by Himachal and Punjab, enhances industrial connectivity. The road directly links the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt. Construction of bridges is underway in Himachal, with further road work pending additional funding. The road will serve a medical device park and a defense park.
BJP in Himachal Pradesh will finalize its organizational structure tomorrow, completing district executive committees in all 17 districts. The party, with a large membership base, is preparing for upcoming Assembly elections. Upcoming events include sapling planting, a Tiranga Yatra, and observing Partition Day.
A Class XII student in Shimla died by suicide by hanging. His father found him in his locked room and alerted the police. A suicide note cited poor academic performance as the cause of his distress.
Heavy rainfall caused significant damage in northern India. Uttarakhand saw three drownings. Uttar Pradesh faced flooding in thirteen districts. The Ganga, Yamuna, and Betwa rivers exceeded danger levels. Rajasthan's Chief Minister assessed flood damage via aerial survey.
Café Kalindi, a new eco-friendly café, opened at the Yamuna Riverfront Nature Park in Paonta Sahib, joining two existing cafes. The Forest Department initiative aims to enhance accessibility, provide local jobs, and transform forests into community assets, boosting tourism with seven eco-restored parks.
Dr Rakesh Kumar receives prestigious Houghton Trust (UK) International Grant
Nahan MLA Ajay Solanki honored Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar at multiple sites, including his birthplace in Chanaalag. Solanki highlighted Parmar's contributions in shaping Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing his vision and dedication as inspiration for future generations. He paid tribute to Parmar's leadership, calling for continued efforts to build a prosperous and equitable state.
The Old Students' Association of Government College, Dharamsala, held a plantation drive, planting diverse trees. The Kangra Deputy Commissioner praised their efforts. The event, including current students, faculty, and alumni, aimed to enhance the campus's ecological and aesthetic value, leaving a lasting gift to the college.
BJP leader Dr. Rajeev Bindal honored Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar on his birth anniversary, praising his vision for Himachal Pradesh. Bindal highlighted Parmar's focus on road infrastructure, and the PMGSY under Vajpayee, as crucial for rural connectivity, and also Parmar's dedication to preserving the state's culture.
As Attari-Leh highway works stall under disaster fears, villagers demand relief, accountability amid ongoing destruction
Torrential rain and flash floods in the state damaged 7,543 schemes, causing a loss of Rs 580.30 crore. The Jal Shakti Department temporarily restored 95% of the damaged water supply schemes. Damage included water supply, irrigation, flood protection, sewerage, and hand pumps.
Experts blame ecological degradation, call for sustainable planning
Shimla's CMO, Dr. Ranta, led a breastfeeding awareness session. He emphasized the benefits of breastfeeding, including enhanced infant immunity and reduced mortality. He urged mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months and highlighted the importance of colostrum. Awareness campaigns are ongoing throughout the district.
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar's birth anniversary was commemorated at Nauni University with floral tributes and a concluding Van Mahotsav plantation campaign. The university planted 5,771 saplings in total, honoring Parmar's contributions to Himachal Pradesh's development, particularly in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
A workshop in Solan trained gram panchayats on the Panchayat Development Index (PAI 2.0) portal. This data-driven tool aids in measuring progress, identifying challenges, and planning for sustainable development goals, promoting transparency and accountability in rural development.
Samarth Gupta from Auckland House qualified for the CISCE National Chess Championship after excelling at the regional tournament in Amritsar. The school's U-17 boys' team won bronze. The principal praised the students' hard work and the school's holistic approach to development, congratulating Samarth on his achievement.
Children in Maror village risk their lives daily crossing a precarious log to reach school after flash floods destroyed their footbridge. Despite repeated appeals, the government hasn't built a safe bridge. In contrast, Malana villagers swiftly rebuilt their own bridge after a similar disaster, highlighting the disparities in government aid and community resilience.
Himachal Pradesh leaders honored Dr. YS Parmar on his 119th birth anniversary. Floral tributes were offered at Shimla's Ridge and HPU. Speakers celebrated Parmar's contributions as a freedom fighter, reformer, and architect of Himachal's development, highlighting his role in statehood and cultural preservation.
NSUI in Shimla protested exam irregularities by the SSC, demanding action against those responsible and cancellation of Eduquity's tenders. They cited technical issues, arbitrary exam centers, and mismanagement causing distress to students, threatening to intensify their agitation if demands are unmet.
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