Himachal

Shimla: A fresh spell of rain and cooler weather has swept across Himachal Pradesh, offering respite from summer temperatures as the state prepares for the arrival of the southwest monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued rainfall activity in many parts of the state over the next few days, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in selected districts. According to weather officials, widespread precipitation is likely to persist until the end of the week, with Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla expected to experience periods of intense weather activity. A yellow alert has been issued for these districts,…

Himachal (Rajeev Sharma): Large parts of Himachal Pradesh are expected to remain under the influence of an active weather system on Saturday, with the Meteorological Department forecasting widespread rainfall and issuing a yellow alert for ten districts. The advisory warns of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, urging residents to remain cautious, especially in vulnerable hilly regions. The alert covers Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Chamba, Sirmaur, Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur, where intermittent showers and strong winds are likely throughout the day. Officials have advised tourists and commuters to keep track of weather updates, as sudden changes in conditions could affect…

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): The second phase of Panchayati Raj elections commenced across Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, with voting taking place in 1,276 gram panchayats spread across different districts of the state. Polling began early in the morning under tight security arrangements and is scheduled to continue till 3 pm. According to election authorities, more than 17 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. The electorate includes over 8.74 lakh men, around 8.55 lakh women, and several voters registered under the “other” category. Officials from the State Election Commission stated that all polling stations had been equipped…

Shimla (National Times): The monsoon season has left a trail of devastation in Himachal Pradesh, where 312 people have died since June 20, according to the latest figures from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). While 160 deaths were directly linked to weather-triggered tragedies like landslides, flash floods, and electrocution, another 152 fatalities occurred in road mishaps worsened by rain-damaged terrain. The calamity has caused unprecedented financial strain, with total losses estimated at Rs 2.75 lakh crore. The destruction spans across roads, power lines, irrigation projects, private property, farms, and livestock, underlining the severe impact on both infrastructure and livelihoods.…

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under the impact of relentless monsoon rains as the death toll has risen to 276 since June 20, the State Disaster Management Authority confirmed. The breakdown reveals 143 fatalities in rain-triggered incidents like landslides, house collapses, and flash floods, while 133 people died in road mishaps. Massive Damage Across the State Within the past 24 hours, the downpour has blocked 366 roads, crippled power supply in 929 locations, and stalled 139 drinking water schemes, according to the HPSDMA bulletin. National Highway-305 in Kullu and NH-154 in Mandi remain shut due to landslides and road…