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Tourists Rush To Shimla After Snowfall, Hoteliers Elated

By LokMarg 2nd February 2024

Following a fresh spell of snowfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh, tourists from northern India have started rushing to Shimla.

Atul Jain, a tourist from Punjab who has been staying in Kufri, a hill station, rushed to Shimla to experience the snowfall. He told ANI,” I would request everyone to come here and enjoy the beautiful weather here”.

Jeenu, hailing fom Delhi who experienced the snowfall for the first time said, “My dream came true. It is a beautiful view around. I am feeling very deligted to see the snow. Everyone should come here and enrich themselves with a new experience”.

Snowfall has also elated the local hoteliers, reviving their hopes of progress in the tourism industry here.

Welcoming the tourists here, Bilal Sheikh, a local tourist guide who complained about a lean summer season due to floods, told ANI, “We have been waiting for the snowfall for a long time. Be it taxi, hotel, everyone is now hopeful. Tourists have started rushing here. It has been snowing for last two-three days. There were predictions about more snowfall in the region”.

The hotelier have started getting reservations after the snowfall and now they are hopeful for revival of business after a long dry spell.

Naresh Kumar, a local hotelier expressed hope that more snowfall will increase tourist footfall in the City. “Tourists have started arriving here. The weather department has forecasted more snowfall during the next two days. So we hope to get more tourists in the region”.

According to the IMD, the Western Himalayan Region and select areas of Uttar Pradesh are anticipated to witness rainfall at one or two locations in the coming days.

Tikkar area of the Nawar valley in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district was covered in a blanket of snow on Friday morning.

The Kharapathar area in Shimla also got covered in a blanket of snow as it received fresh snowfall this morning.

As per the data from the State tourism department, nearly 17,20,000 tourists thronged the State in 2019 including 4,00000 foreign tourists with a jump of nearly 5 percent n comparison to the year 2018.

An economy of over Rs 11,000 crore is generated in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the tourism sector and it is considered a backbone for the economy in the state which contributes to 7.3 per cent in the state GDP. (ANI)

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Tourists Throng Shimla Ahead Of Year-End Festivities

By LokMarg 21st December 2023

The police in Shimla district said they were anticipating a huge rush of visitors ahead of Christmas and the year-end festivities.

Police said they were expecting over one lakh tourist vehicles to roll into the hill town in the last week of December, on the eve of Christmas and New Year.

The Mayor of Shimla City has planned the first-ever winter carnival to draw tourists to the state for the year-end festivities and frolicking while also promoting the traditions and culture of Himachal Pradesh.

Tourists have already started arriving in the hilly state in numbers in anticipation of snowfall in the exotic locales as the year draws to a close.

Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shimla, said, “The police are expecting over one lakh tourist vehicles to roll into the hill town in the last week of this year.”

“Police brace for myriad challenges as the seasons change in Shimla. The number of vehicles in the city has been increasing on weekends. We will serve as facilitators for the tourists, those involved in the hospitality business and other stakeholders. We will hold meetings with all the stakeholders. Roads laden with snow are also a big challenge for us in winter. We have divided the city into five sectors, each of which will be assigned a rescue team,” Gandhi added.

“There is a steady increase in tourist vehicles. There is a particular number of vehicles entering the city from the Shogi Barrier. There are usually about 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles rolling into the city every day. However, the count has now gone up to 12000 to 13000 ahead of the year-end festivities. We expect this number to rise further to 20,000 around Christmas and the New Year,” SP Gandhi added.

“We have planned to deploy 10 platoons, which would further enable us to press 200 additional forces into action if required. The additional personnel would be deployed for both traffic management and security,” Gandhi said.

The week-long winter carnival will start on Christmas Day, December 25, in the afternoon. The Shimla Municipal Corporation is hopeful of a revival of tourism businesses here. The mayor is also keen to send across a message of clean and green tourism in the hills through the carnival.

“We are planning a winter carnival for the first time in Shimla. I have been conducting meetings with the stakeholders and officials over the past three days. We are ready to showcase our traditional folk dance forms and musical instruments. The chief minister will inaugurate the week-long winter carnival on December 25. We will also organise a traditional folk dance featuring 500 women,” Surinder Chauhan, the mayor of Shimla, said.

The tourists, meanwhile, are enjoying the cold weather conditions and snowfall in the city.

“There is a huge tourist rush. There’s a biting cold but the weather gets more pleasant as the sun breaks through the clouds. We are enjoying ourselves here. Tourists can barely hold off an urge to visit Shimla around Christmas and New Year. I would recommend a visit to Shimla at this time. We were expecting some snowfall but there hasn’t been any yet. I have decided to visit Shimla again in January, next year. We will schedule our travel after following the weather forecast as we don’t want to miss out on the snowfall next time,” Soutirtha Biswas, a tourist from West Bengal, said.

He was one among many visitors, who, while enjoying the prevailing pleasant weather in the hill-state, rued not to have experienced any snowfall yet.

“It has been a very good experience so far. I expected the weather to be this cold. I hoped to experience some snowfall as well around this time but there hasn’t been any since I arrived. This is an ideal tourism destination in December,” Ankit, a tourist from Bihar, told ANI. (ANI)

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Himachal Rain: Several Houses Collapse In Shimla

By LokMarg 15th August 2023

Amid incessant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, several houses collapsed in Shimla, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Aditya Negi, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, a hill collapsed in the Krishna Nagar area in Shimla, following which, around five to seven houses collapsed.

However, he said that no details of people being stranded have been received so far.

At least 55 people have lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh after heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in the State triggering landslides, cloudbursts and blocked roads.

Earlier in the day, Sukhu said the toll is likely to go up and said that Solan, Shimla, Mandi, and Hamirpur are among the worst-affected districts in the state.

“Around 55 people have lost their lives in the state till now. The death toll might go up. Restoration work is being done on a war footing. Chandigarh-Shimla 4-lane highway along with other arterial roads has been opened,” CM Sukhu said.

He further stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him of all the help and said that one army helicopter has been deployed in Shimla.

“I spoke to Amit Shah ji yesterday who has assured all help. I also spoke to JP Nadda ji, Kharge ji, Rahul Gandhi ji and Priyanka ji. The reopening of schools will be decided based on weather conditions. One Army helicopter is deployed in Shimla for any emergency,” he said.

CM Sukhu further informed that ongoing search and rescue efforts are in progress within the region. In light of the unfortunate situation, the state decided not to hold any cultural festivities for Independence Day.

The chief minister also visited the disaster-hit village Jadon in Solan district which suffered heavy loss of life and property due to a cloudburst. According to officials, seven people of a family had lost their lives in the disaster.

The Chief Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said that it was a heart-wrenching incident. He said that the government stood firmly with the affected people in their distress and assured them that all possible help will be provided to the affected.

On Monday the chief minister said that at least nine people were killed and over 20-25 others are feared buried under debris after a temple in Shimla’s Summer Hill area collapsed following a cloudburst. He said local administration is working to clear the debris and rescue those who were trapped.

He also visited the Phagli area of Shimla City to personally oversee and extend a helping hand to those affected by a landslide in which several houses were reportedly buried.

Meanwhile India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours in several parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Met department has raised “red alert” for both the hilly states which will gradually reduce to “orange alert”. (ANI)

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Shimla: Massive Landslide Damages 120-Yr-Old Railway Track

By LokMarg 15th August 2023

A massive landslide struck Shimla, causing severe damage to a railway track that has stood for over 120 years. The incident occurred on August 15, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Vishal Singh, Section Engineer of Communication at the Kalka Shimla Railways from Solan, provided insights into the scope of the catastrophe.

“We will initiate the process of re-establishing communication within the next 4-5 hours. The connectivity in the Shimla district relies heavily on this track, and the disruption has brought everything to a standstill,” Singh explained.

Local resident Neeraj Raj Sharma expressed shock at the unprecedented level of destruction caused by the flash flood resulting from the landslide.

“I have never seen this kind of destruction since my childhood. Trees and water from the upper slopes have obliterated the historic railway track and even the revered Shiv Mandir. There are concerns that 12 to 15 people might still be trapped in the debris, prompting a frantic rescue effort,” he lamented.

The magnitude of the damage indicates that the restoration process for the railway track will be an extensive undertaking, requiring significant time and resources, Singh said.

As a short-term measure, authorities plan to temporarily restore connectivity while preparing for the arduous task of rebuilding or renovating the decimated railway track. (ANI)

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21 Dead In Last 24 Hours In Rain-Hit Himachal: Sukhu

By LokMarg 14th August 2023

Nine people have been killed and several others are feared trapped under the debris of a temple, which collapsed in Shimla after being hit by a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on Monday.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his condolences over the deaths and said efforts are underway to rescue the people trapped under the debris of the collapsed temple in the Summer Hill area.

“As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved. The local administration is diligently working to clear the debris in order to rescue individuals who may still be trapped,” the Himachal Pradesh chief minister said in a post on the ‘X’ app (formerly known as Twitter.

Sukhu along with state minister Vikramaditya Singh also visited the site of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

“Twenty to 25 people are trapped under debris here. A total of 21 people have died in the last 24 hours in the state. I appeal to people to stay indoors, to not venture near rivers and landslide-prone areas. Restoration work will begin as soon as rain stops,” the chief minister said.

Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla earlier said that a landslide had struck the temple and there was threat to nearby buildings also. “Several people have been stranded. We are waiting for more details,” he said.

Personnel of the SDRF, NDRF and Army are present on the spot to carry out operations to rescue the stranded people.

“I have cancelled my pre-scheduled event in Mandi. August 15 Independence Day program will go on as usual but our priority is to save lives,” chief minister Sukhu said.

State Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that some bodies have been retrieved from under the debris of the temple in Summer Hill.

“Ten to 15 people are still buried under the debris. All efforts are being made to safely rescue people,” Singh said.

He added that 12-15 people have died in Mandi district of the State due to inclement weather.

Earlier, seven people were killed in an incident of cloudburst reported at Jadon village of Kandaghat subdivision in Solan district of the state according to Siddhartha Acharya, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kandaghat. Two houses and one cowshed also got washed away in the incident.

Chief Minister Sukhu expressed condolences over the deaths and directed authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support.

“Devastated to hear about the loss of 7 precious lives in the tragic cloudburst incident at village Jadon, Dhawla Sub Tehsil in Solan district heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We share in your pain and sorrow during this difficult time. We have directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families during this trying period,” CM Sukhu posted on the ‘X’ app.

Incessant showers in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours have triggered landslides, blocking several roads, including the Shimla-Chandigarh road which was closed for buses and trucks.

On the orders of the Chief Minister, the Education Secretary has issued a notification to keep all government, private schools and colleges closed on August 14.

The chief minister has instructed the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary as well as all district collectors to keep a close watch on the situation created due to heavy rains. The administrative staff should be alert and maintain smooth arrangements for roads, electricity and water, he said. (ANI)

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Himachal To Receive More Rain For Next 5 Days: IMD

By LokMarg 27th June 2023

There is a possibility of rains for the next five days in Himachal Pradesh, some places may receive heavy rains, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday.

“There is a possibility of rain for the next 5 days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state,” said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, IMD scientist, Shimla.
Sandeep Kumar Sharma said that more than average rainfall is likely in the state in June this year.

“An orange alert has been issued today and a yellow one for tomorrow. More than average rainfall likely in June,” the IMD scientist said.

The Meteorological Centre in Shimla on Tuesday predicted light rainfall with thunderstorms in different parts of the state.

According to the weather department, different areas of Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Solan districts are expected to get light-intensity rainfall with thunderstorms in the next 2-3 hours.

Earlier in the day, heavy rain triggered a flash flood in Himachal Pradesh that blocked Tandi-Killar State Highway-26 in Dared Nala, officials said on Tuesday.

Monsoon hit Himachal Pradesh on June 24 and till now, 9 people have lost their lives, said officials.

“Monsoon hit Himachal Pradesh on June 24. Till now, 9 people have lost their lives, 14 injured, 4 houses are fully damaged while 28 are partially damaged due to heavy rains. The estimated loss is approximately Rs 104 crores,” said Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management. (ANI)

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Shimla Records Highest Min Temp Of 14.4°C

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

At 14.4 degrees Celsius, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, recorded highest-ever minimum temperature on Saturday.

The mercury has been inching up in the hills and across the North Indian belt over the last few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a western disturbance across the North Indian belt over the next 24 hours, with the mercury set to drop in the region after a few days.
“The temperatures in most places of Himachal Pradesh are above normal. On Saturday, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest for this time of year, at 14.2 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2015. At 29.5 degrees Celsius on February 16, this year, Solan, too, surpassed its previous highest of 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021,” said Surender Paul, head of IMD, Himachal Pradesh.

“The highest maximum temperature at Solan (located at 1,550 metres above sea level), as per our records, was 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021. However, the record was broken on February 16 when the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius,” he added.

“Both the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state are currently 4 to 5 degrees above normal. In some areas, the temperatures are 8 to 10 degrees above normal,” he said.

The mercury is rising in other parts of the state as well, Paul said, adding that there has been less precipitation this year, resulting in a rise in daytime temperatures.

“There was less western disturbance this year and it was particularly weak at higher altitudes, resulting in deficient precipitation and an increase in temperatures in the state. There are many other reasons for the rising temperatures, one of which could be the change in local weather pattern and changing climatic conditions,” Paul added.

Over the last 24 hours, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, its highest till date for this time of year. Also, as per the latest data, the minimum temperature was on the higher side on Saturday as well.

Most hill stations in Himachal recorded above-normal minimum temperatures, with Dalhousie recording a minimum of 15.2 degrees Celsius and Jubbwrhatti in Shimla at 13 degrees Celsius.

Kangra recorded a minimum of 10.4 degrees Celsius, with Palampur at 10 degrees Celsius, Narkanda in Shimla at 9 degrees Celsius, Kufri at 12.9 degrees Celsisus, Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district at 6.2 degrees Celsius and Mandi at 8.9 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Manali recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius while Nahan in Sirmaur district recorded a minimum temperature of 11.1 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature was also above normal on Saturday evening, with Una at 30.4 degrees Celsius, Solan at 29.3, Bilaspur,28.6, Chamba 27.3, and Bhunter at 29.7 degree Celsius. Dharamshala recorded a maximum of 26.5 degree Celsius, with Nahan in Sirmaur at 25.3, Mandi at 29.2, Manali at 20, Shimla at 23.2, Dalhousie at 20.6, Kufri at 17.1 and Narkanda at 17.4 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has, however, forecast snowfall in the state’s higher reaches and rain in the low and mid hills.

“By tomorrow, the state will be in the grip of another Western Disturbance during which there could be snowfall in the higher reaches after the night of February 20. Following a fresh spell of snowfall and rain, the weather will start clearing again and temperatures are expected to drop,” said Paul. (ANI)

HP Cabinet To Be Expanded Today

By LokMarg 8th January 2023

The swearing-in ceremony of the new members of the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet will take place on Sunday morning.

The ceremony will be held at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla this morning, said sources.
Earlier on Saturday, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that a list of 10 people has been submitted to the party’s high command and the Himachal Pradesh Government will be implementing the Old Pension Scheme in the state soon after the first cabinet meeting.

In the November 12 Assembly elections manifesto, Congress had promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme, if voted to power.

The CM arrived in Shimla from Delhi, on Saturday evening, after meeting the party’s high command.

“The meetings were personal. The Cabinet expansion is also my prerogative and I handed over the list of ten MLAs to the high command. As soon as the approval comes through, we will roll the ball to expand the Cabinet,” the CM said, speaking to reporters.

Sukhu had further informed me that he would visit Mumbai on Sunday.

“I am going to Mumbai tomorrow and have another scheduled event in Pune. We hope to get the high command’s nod for the Cabinet expansion soon. As soon as I receive the approved list of candidates, I will effect the Cabinet expansion. We are in the government to change the system, not for power,” Sukhu said. (ANI)

Sukhu Took Oath As The 15th CM Of Himachal

By LokMarg 11th December 2022

Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who climbed the political ladder up from the grassroots level in Himachal Pradesh, took oath as the 15th Chief Minister of the hill state at a ceremony in Shimla on Sunday.

The oath-taking ceremony took place at 1.30 pm on Sunday at Raj Bhavan, Shimla.
A loyalist of the Gandhi family, Sukhu is a four-time MLA (58) and former chief of Congress in the state.

Sukhu is known as an affable and approachable leader who has a vast network in the hill state due to his long years in the organization. He also holds a broad organizational experience in the state owing to his connection with the grand old party for many years.

He was the party’s state unit president from 2013 to 2019 and spoke his mind even if it was not to the liking of the party’s tallest leader Virbhadra Singh, a six-time Chief Minister.

Sukhu has been in favor of promoting and grooming younger Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh.

With Congress chief ministers over the past four decades coming from Rampur Bushahr, Congress central leadership was apparently keen to expand its choice.

Sukhu will be the first Congress leader from “lower Himachal” to come to the top post.

Sukhu belongs to a middle-class family. He was active in politics from his student days and fought elections as an NSUI candidate. He was president of NSUI and the Indian Youth Congress in the state. He fought and won elections for Shimla Municipal Corporation. Sukhu won the assembly election for the first time in 2003 from Nadaun.

Sukhu was chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee for the assembly elections in which the party focused on local issues and made lucrative promises including an old age pension scheme.

He will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Congress won the Assembly polls in the state, winning 40 seats. (ANI)

Cong Fights Unitedly: Kharge On Victory In Himachal

By LokMarg 11th December 2022

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday arrived in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister-designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

Sukhu received the Congress president and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at Sanjauli helipad.
Kharge, on the occasion, said that the party’s victory in the state Assembly polls is an example of what happens when the party fights unitedly.

“This is a victory that belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This is an example of what emerges when the Congress party fights unitedly,” he told ANI.

Ashok Gehlot said that the victory of the party in the state was a new beginning for Congress and the people of the state.

“This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, and unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal,” he said.

Sachin Pilot, who also arrived here, confided that Sukhu will be able to deliver the promises made during the campaign.

“I believe that Sukhu will be able to deliver all the promises given by Cong. The people of Himachal Pradesh always supported Congress. We all will work together for the development of the state,” he said.

Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu met State Congress Chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh at her residence.

Following the meeting, Pratibha said that it is her “prime duty” to take part in the oath-taking ceremony which will take place today afternoon.

“Why won’t I attend his oath-taking ceremony? Of course, I will go. It is my prime duty to be there with him as he takes oath as CM today,” she said.

Mukesh Agnihotri, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing Assembly, will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 1.30 pm on Sunday, Raj Bhavan sources told ANI.

After being chosen as the Chief Minister, the Congress leader said that he is thankful to the Congress and Gandhi family for giving him this opportunity.

Sukhu said that he is happy that despite being from an ordinary family he is going to be the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

“I am happy that I am going to be CM despite being from an ordinary family. I am thankful to the Congress party and the Gandhi family for giving me this opportunity. My mother never stopped me from being in politics. I have reached here today because of her blessings,” said Sukhu.

Sukhu is a grassroots politician who has risen from the ranks and has wide organisational experience in the hill state.

Sukhu was chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee for the assembly elections in which the party focused on local issues and made lucrative promises including an old pension scheme.

He will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Congress won the Assembly polls in the state, winning 40 seats. (ANI)