WebinarsNew
Deep DiveNew
Explore Business Standard
Himachal Pradesh
The unprecedented devastation and loss of lives in the wake of the Nepal flash floods have set off the alarm bells for Himachal Pradesh, with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi identifying nine rapidly expanding glacial lakes in the state -- terming them ticking "water bombs". These lakes could pose a serious threat to downstream communities as rising temperatures accelerate melting of glaciers across the Himalayas, IIT-Mandi researchers said. The researchers, through analysis of satellite imagery and other datasets, found that the number of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region has increased by nearly 30 per cent over the past decade -- their size, too, has expanded significantly. This raises concerns over the possibility of sudden glacial lake outburst floods that could unleash massive volumes of water and debris downstream, said Prof Dericks P Shukla, Founding Chairperson, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIT-Mandi, who led the six-membe
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that Himachal Pradesh's first ozone-based drinking water treatment project is being established in the Dehra area of Kangra district to supply clean drinking water to people. Addressing a gathering at Baddal Thor in Dehra assembly constituency, he said that the state government has allocated Rs 46 crore for the project and the programme would be implemented in other areas as well. Under this water treatment project, ozone gas is used to disinfect water and improve taste. Sukhu also said the state government had also initiated the process of providing benefits under the Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana, for which surveys were currently being conducted in panchayats. The government is committed to ensuring that even the most marginalised member of society gets a rightful share in the state's resources, he said. The scheme is expected to be rolled out on October 2. Under this yojana, extremely poor families will
A total of 67 roads have been closed to vehicular traffic as light to moderate rains persist in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla Meteorological Office issued a yellow warning on Friday for heavy rains in isolated areas of the state from August 31 to September 3. As of Friday evening, the closures included 27 roads in Mandi, 16 in Kullu, seven in Kangra, six in Sirmaur, four in Una, three each in Chamba and Shimla, and one in Lahaul and Spiti district. Additionally, 12 power transformers have been obstructed, according to the state emergency operations centre. In the past 24 hours, since Thursday evening, Nahan received 51 mm of rain followed by Berthin 34.8 mm, Dhaulakuan 34.5 mm, Dharamshala 30.3 mm, Naina Devi 28.2 mm and Guler 20.1 mm. Between August 1 and 28, the state has received 203.8 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal of 241.4 mm, resulting in a 14 per cent deficit. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 30, approximately 103 people have died in rain-relat
Torrential rains have led to the closure of 185 roads in Himachal Pradesh, and the Shimla Met Office on Saturday issued an 'orange alert' for heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in the state on Monday and Tuesday. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 77 water supply schemes and 104 transformers were also disrupted as of Saturday morning. A total of 92 roads were blocked in Mandi, followed by 48 in Kullu, 14 each in Chamba and Shimla, 9 in Sirmaur, 5 in Kangra and 3 in Una district, officials said. Since the monsoon began on June 30, 65 people have died in rain-related incidents so far, including 14 in landslides and one in flash floods. The state has suffered losses totalling Rs 834 crore, they said. The weather department has predicted a wet spell in the state till August 14. Light to moderate rain lashed several parts of the state since Friday evening. Dharamshala recorded the highest rainfall at 48.1 mm, followed by Bajaura (31.5 mm), Manali (22 m
A total of 134 roads remained closed in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday due to landslides and flash floods triggered by torrential rains, while the Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in four districts of the state from July 28 to 30. The Shimla Meteorological Centre also warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur districts till Sunday morning, cautioning that inundation could occur in saturated soils and low-lying areas. A total of 134 roads, including 58 in Mandi, 33 in Kullu, 14 in Chamba, 12 in Sirmaur, seven in Shimla, five in Kangra, four in Lahaul and Spiti and one in Una district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Saturday evening due to landslides and flashfloods triggered by torrential rains. As many as 35 water supply schemes and 78 transformers have also been affected in the state according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Light to moderate
Thirteen people, including a six-month-old infant, were killed while two others had a narrow escape after massive boulders from a nearby hill suddenly fell on a moving taxi on the Udaipur-Pangi road in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti on Friday, police said. Fifteen people were in the SUV, which was on its way from Kullu to Killar when large boulders suddenly crashed onto the vehicle near Kadu nallah, completely crushing it. Following the impact, the rear section of the vehicle caught fire. Bystanders and Army personnel attempted to extinguish the flames at the spot, about 70 km from district headquarters Keylong. Videos of the incident have also surfaced, showing the vehicle almost flattened and engulfed in fire. A team was dispatched to the site immediately after the police received information about the accident. Relief and rescue operations are underway, and the administration is closely monitoring the situation, police said. Apart from the infant, there were seven men and f
Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday flagged off the first export consignment of 400 kg of cherries and 400 kg of plums to Oman from Chandigarh via air cargo. The fruits were produced by six progressive farmers from the Jadol-Tikkar and Bagi areas of Shimla district. This marks a historic and proud moment for Himachal Pradesh's horticulture sector, a statement issued here said. Negi said that the Middle East and Gulf countries are emerging as large and promising export markets for Himachal Pradesh's fruits and this initiative would open new international market opportunities for the state's stone fruits and play a significant role in ensuring better and more remunerative prices for farmers. The minister said this is only the beginning, and efforts would be expanded in the future to explore export opportunities for apples and other horticultural produce as well. He added that the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation ..
In a major relief to farmers facing financial distress, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to launch the Agriculture Loan Interest Subvention Scheme under the one-time settlement policy, fulfilling a key budget announcement of the state government. The scheme would provide assistance to farmers whose agricultural land is at risk of auction due to loan defaults. Under this farmer-centric initiative, the government would bear 50 per cent of the outstanding interest liability on agricultural loans up to Rs 3 lakh per farmer, a statement issued here on Saturday said. An estimated 6,356 farmers across the state are expected to benefit from the scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 50 crore. The scheme would be implemented through the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank and the Kangra Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank. The concerned branches will identify and prepare the list of eligible borrowers for availing the benefit of
A fire broke out in a forest area in Kasauli and at least two Indian Air Force helicopters were deployed to douse the blaze, officials said on Tuesday. The forest fire was reported near the Air Force Station in Kasauli, they said. The fire engulfed a significant portion of forest. Teams of the forest department and several fire tenders rushed to douse the fire but were unable to put out the fire. The IAF then deployed its Mil Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters to put out the fire, especially in inaccessible areas of the forest. Water was also lifted from Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake to douse the fire. Till last reports were received, efforts were still underway to put out the fire, officials said. In another incident, a forest fire was also reported in Rajhana village near Shimla. Teams of forest and fire departments rushed to put out the fire. Officials have stated that the rise in temperatures over the past few days is likely the cause behind the forest fires.
The Himachal Pradesh state government will be providing funding of up to Rs 5 lakh per proposal to young entrepreneurs under the HIMUDA Start-up and Student Innovation Policy, to boost economic growth and to generate employment opportunities. This was stated by Town & Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani while he chaired a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) on Saturday. During the meeting, the minister said that the policy aims to build a strong ecosystem for innovation and start-ups in the state. "Keeping in view the geographical conditions of the state, the government was also exploring the possibility of funding start-ups related to disaster management under this policy", said Dharmani. He said that the projects of HIMUDA were aimed not only at meeting the housing needs of the people but also at creating new sources of revenue for the state. "Given the rapid pace of urbanisation, urban development has become a vital ...