Himachal Pradesh

Massive Fire at Hotel Dhauladhar in Dharamshala, Guests Evacuated Safely

Massive Fire at Hotel Dhauladhar in Dharamshala, Guests Evacuated Safely

National Times Bureau :- A major fire erupted late Thursday night at the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s renowned Hotel Dhauladhar in Dharamshala, Kangra district, officials confirmed. Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life were reported. According to district authorities, flames were first spotted in the hotel’s kitchen area before rapidly spreading to the upper portions of the building. The structure’s old Deodar-wood roofing, officials said, allowed the fire to intensify within minutes. Emergency teams launched a swift response. Four fire tenders reached the spot almost immediately, bringing the blaze under control in a short time. An SDRF unit was…
Read More
Himachal Faces Climate Crossroads: UNDP Report Flags Warming, Erratic Rainfall and Mounting Losses

Himachal Faces Climate Crossroads: UNDP Report Flags Warming, Erratic Rainfall and Mounting Losses

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): A new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has sounded the alarm for Himachal Pradesh, warning that the state could experience a temperature rise of up to 3°C by 2050, alongside increasingly unpredictable rainfall and faster glacial retreat. The findings, part of the Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report 2025, paint a worrying picture of how climate change could reshape the state’s economy, ecology, and way of life. The report notes that the effects of a changing climate are already visible — from cloudbursts and shifting monsoon cycles to rising forest fires and erratic snowfall. Despite…
Read More
Heavy Snowfall Shuts Down Manali-Leh Route; Himachal Grapples with Cold Wave and Rain

Heavy Snowfall Shuts Down Manali-Leh Route; Himachal Grapples with Cold Wave and Rain

Himachal Pradesh (Rajeev Sharma): Persistent snowfall in the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh has led to the closure of the Manali-Leh highway, leaving many travellers stranded and disrupting movement toward Ladakh. The closure comes amid an intense cold spell gripping the region following fresh snowfall and widespread rainfall across several districts. According to local officials, the road was blocked near Darcha, a high-altitude location in Lahaul-Spiti, after heavy snow made it unsafe for vehicular travel. Gondhla reported the heaviest snowfall at 30 cm, followed by Keylong (15 cm), Hansa (5 cm), and Kukumseri (3.2 cm), making travel through the region…
Read More
A new chapter begins in my life’: Vikramaditya Singh | See first pics of wedding

A new chapter begins in my life’: Vikramaditya Singh | See first pics of wedding

National Times Bureau :- Himachal Pradesh Minister for Public Works and Urban Development, Vikramaditya Singh, has tied the knot with Dr Amreen Sekhon, an Assistant Professor at Panjab University, in an intimate wedding ceremony held in Chandigarh on September 22. This is Vikramaditya Singh’s second marriage. His first marriage to Sudarshana Chundawat of Amet, Rajasthan, took place in 2019 and ended in divorce in November 2024. At the wedding, Vikramaditya wore a pastel pink sherwani with a vibrant orange and pink turban, adorned with a kalgi and ceremonial sword, reflecting his royal heritage. Amreen looked elegant in a peach-toned embroidered…
Read More
PM Narendra Modi to Assess Flood Damage in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh During Today’s Visit

PM Narendra Modi to Assess Flood Damage in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh During Today’s Visit

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit flood-hit regions in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh today, September 9, to personally inspect the damage caused by the devastating floods that have wreaked havoc in both states. This will be Modi’s first visit to the areas since the natural calamity struck, prompting both state governments to officially declare the regions flood-affected. The Prime Minister’s visit will begin with an aerial survey of flood-impacted districts in both states, followed by face-to-face meetings with local authorities and affected citizens. His trip is expected to provide a crucial insight into the scale…
Read More
Punjab, Himachal Pradesh on High Alert as IMD Warns of More Heavy Rainfall

Punjab, Himachal Pradesh on High Alert as IMD Warns of More Heavy Rainfall

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Continuous downpours have thrown several northern states into crisis, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for multiple districts. The agency has forecast moderate to intense rain spells over the next three hours, warning of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in vulnerable areas. Torrential Rains in Jammu & Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir has been the worst affected so far. The districts of Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar remain under red alert. Reasi received over 230 mm of rain by early Wednesday, while Katra (193 mm) and Batote…
Read More
CM Sukhu Expresses Grief Over Losses, Offers Support Amid Heavy Rains and Landslides in Himachal

CM Sukhu Expresses Grief Over Losses, Offers Support Amid Heavy Rains and Landslides in Himachal

National Times Bureau :- Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered widespread landslides and flooding across several regions of Himachal Pradesh, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and posing serious risks to residents. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incidents reported from different parts of the state. In Kullu, a raging stream has created dangerous conditions, while in Dhalpur, a landslide claimed the life of a woman. Reports from Manali indicate that two people have been injured, and another stream in Old Manali has once again overflowed. In Ani, a massive landslide buried a house, while in Kinnaur,…
Read More
Monsoon Fury: IMD Issues Red Alert in Punjab, Himachal and Uttarakhand

Monsoon Fury: IMD Issues Red Alert in Punjab, Himachal and Uttarakhand

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, warning of intense rainfall that could trigger floods, landslides and travel disruptions across these states. Heavy showers are also expected in Delhi, Haryana, East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh over the next two days, while the southern and western belts, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, will continue to witness strong monsoon activity until early September. In the Northeastern region, rains are likely to persist for five more days. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands…
Read More
Himachal Pradesh Monsoon Death Toll Climbs to 310; Losses Exceed Rs 2,623 Crore

Himachal Pradesh Monsoon Death Toll Climbs to 310; Losses Exceed Rs 2,623 Crore

Shimla: The ongoing monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in 310 fatalities since June 20, with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reporting 158 deaths due to rain-related incidents and 152 caused by road accidents.Rain-related fatalities include landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, electrocution, and other weather-triggered events. The period from June 20 to August 27 also saw 369 injuries, with 38 people still missing. Livestock losses have been heavy, with 1,852 animals and 25,755 poultry birds perishing in the rains.Damage to property has been widespread. Public infrastructure including roads, water supply systems, and power lines has sustained losses exceeding…
Read More
Pong Dam Water Level Rises Above Danger Mark, Warning Issued to Release Up to 75,000 Cusecs

Pong Dam Water Level Rises Above Danger Mark, Warning Issued to Release Up to 75,000 Cusecs

National Times Bureau :- The water level in Pong Dam has crossed the danger mark, forcing authorities to release excess water downstream. Officials confirmed that within the last 24 hours, the dam’s water level has risen by three feet. In response, the dam administration has increased the discharge by 6,000 cusecs, with advance notice that the outflow may go up to 75,000 cusecs if required. The information was shared through an official letter by the Additional Superintending Engineer of BBMB’s Water Regulation Cell, Talwara. He stated that due to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, water inflow into Pong Dam continues…
Read More