A one-day kisan mela and anti-drug awareness camp will be held on April 23 at Gram Panchayat Mehla in Chamba under the chairmanship of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla.

The event is being organised under the aegis of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, with the dual objective of promoting sustainable farming practices and spreading awareness against substance abuse at the grassroots level.

In a preparatory meeting held on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner PP Singh directed all concerned departments to ensure timely and coordinated arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event.

Singh stated that the kisan mela would offer valuable technical knowledge and practical insights to farmers and horticulturists.

Various departments will set up exhibition stalls showcasing modern agricultural techniques, schemes and innovations.

Additionally, the event will highlight the dangers of drug addiction, with expert talks and a student-led awareness rally planned as key features of the campaign.

It was decided that exhibition stalls will be put up by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, Rural Development, Health, Fire Services and various self-help groups.

The Assistant Commissioner also emphasised the need for ensuring law and order, effective traffic management, and adequate parking arrangements for the event.

Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh, uprooting trees and disrupting power supply as several areas in Shimla remained without electricity for hours.

Several trees fell on huts of the migrants due to heavy storm at night in Hamirpur’s Barsar.

An eight-year-old child, identified as Abhishek Kumar, died after a tree fell on a hut while he was sleeping inside. The child was taken to Barsar Civil Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti received 1 cm of snow since Wednesday evening. Seobagh in Kullu district recorded the highest rainfall of 28.8 mm, followed by Lahaul-Spiti’s Kukumseri 23.8 mm and Narkanda 18 mm, the MeT office reported on Thursday.

Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said hailstorms were witnessed in several areas, causing damage to crops like apple and other fruits, which were in flowering stage. The loss is being estimated, he added.

The minister said that roads have been blocked due to falling of trees. Some houses have also been damaged according to reports, said Negi, adding that restoration work is going on.

The weather department has issued an orange alert of hailstorm and heavy rain and snow at isolated parts of the state on Thursday and Friday and warned of thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds in 12 districts.

The thunderstorms and hailstorms on Wednesday uprooted trees, blew off the roofs of makeshift houses and caused power outages in several areas, including Shimla where power supply was restored this morning after nearly 10 hours.

Some vehicles were also crushed under trees in Shimla.

Mandi recorded 17.6 mm rainfall, Dharamshala 17 mm, Chamba 16 mm, Kalpa 15.6 mm and Kufri 15 mm while the tourist resorts of Kasauli received 14.4 mm rain, Dalhousie 10 mm, Shimla 9.6 mm and Manali 6.8 mm, the MeT office said.

There was a significant fall in the minimum temperatures. Lahaul and Spiti’s Keylong was the coldest at night with a low of 0.5°C. However, no major change was seen in the maximum temperatures. Una was hottest during the day, recording a high of 37.2°C.

The rain deficit during the ongoing pre-monsoon season from March 1 to April 17 is 38 per cent as the state received 93.2 mm of rain against normal rainfall of 151.3 mm.

A flash flood near Jungle Camp, 8 km from Tindi police post in Lahaul and Spiti, left 66 security personnel—29 women constables and 37 constables—travelling in two IRBN buses and three HRTC buses stranded, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Keylong DSP Raj Kumar, the incident was reported by Tindi police post incharge to the SP office on Tuesday.

Responding promptly, a rescue team from Tindi police post, along with personnel from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), was sent to the location.

“Upon reaching the site, it was found that the water flow was very strong, making it impossible to clear the road or resume vehicular movement during the night.

The rescue team ensured that all stranded personnel were safely evacuated using BRO vehicles,” he added.

“They have been given shelter at the Forest Rest House at Tindi and the BRO Camp,” the DSP said.

He said that once the road condition improved by morning, they would be sent to their respective destinations.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu dedicated a series of developmental projects worth crores of rupees to the residents of Pangi during his visit to the area in Chamba district today.

In Killar, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for various projects, including the construction of residential quarters for the Agriculture Department at Killar Pangi at a cost of Rs 3.75 crore, additional rooms at Government Senior Secondary School Luj and Government Senior Secondary School Mindhal.

He also laid the foundation stone for a sub-market yard in Killar worth Rs 2.13 crore, a new office building for Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) at a cost of Rs 49.42 lakh, health sub-centres at Rei and Hudan tehsil, each with a budget of Rs 1.99 crore.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated several projects, including the Mini Secretariat building at Killar constructed at a cost of Rs 20.88 crore, ITI building at Killar worth Rs 5.62 crore, a bus stand in Killar built with an expenditure of Rs 5.29 crore and an alternative approach road to the bus stand constructed at a cost of Rs 2.98 crore. He also inaugurated the 50-bed Civil Hospital at Killar built at a cost of Rs 19.83 crore.

The Chief Minister also launched an ATM facility of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank in Killar and participated in a tree plantation programme within the premises of the Public Works Department Rest House.

On his arrival in Killar, the Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by local residents. The Chief Minister landed at the Dharwas helipad where locals dressed in traditional attire greeted him enthusiastically. Representatives from various panchayats honoured him at the helipad and brought their concerns to his attention.

Assuring the people of prompt redress to their issues, Sukhu said the state government was committed to the development of tribal areas. He announced Rs 25 lakh each for the construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawans in Dharwas and Lunj. Additionally, he announced Rs 10 lakh for the completion of another Mahila Mandal Bhawan in Lunj and Rs 1 lakh each for three Mahila Mandals for purchasing necessary equipment.

Encouraging residents to establish solar power plants on private land, the Chief Minister said, “The state government will offer a 5 per cent interest subsidy for setting up solar energy projects ranging from 250 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas. In non-tribal regions, projects between 250 KW and 1 MW will receive 4 per cent interest subsidy, while larger projects exceeding 1 MW will be eligible for 3 per cent interest subsidy,” he said.

The Chief Minister will stay overnight in Killar and preside over the state-level Himachal Day celebrations scheduled for Tuesday. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLA Sunder Thakur and others also accompanied the CM to Chamba.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla paid rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary at a function organised by the Samajik Dalit Peedit Utthan Sansthan at Kala Kendra, Solan, on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said Dr Ambedkar’s birth anniversary is not just a ritual observance, but a profound tribute to his monumental contribution to the nation.

Describing him as the architect of the Indian Constitution, Shukla emphasised that Dr Ambedkar enshrined the ideals of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity into the foundational document of the republic.

“Everything may change, but the Preamble of the Indian Constitution will remain unchanged,” he remarked.

He highlighted that Dr Ambedkar’s life and message transcend any single community or class, describing him as a visionary who fought tirelessly for the rights of the poor and marginalised. “His call for education, struggle, and unity remains deeply relevant even today,” he added.

The Governor noted that despite facing tremendous hardships throughout his life — both before and after drafting the Constitution — Dr Ambedkar persisted and rose to become a symbol of social justice and a respected parliamentarian.

Citing the global relevance of Ambedkar’s ideas, Shukla stated, “Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar are towering personalities whose thoughts are respected not just in India, but around the world.”

He urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to work collectively towards building a drug-free society, calling on women in particular to lead the fight against substance abuse by addressing the issue at the grassroots.

“If we truly want to honour the legacy of Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution, we must dedicate ourselves to the mission of drug de-addiction,” the Governor stressed.

During the event, individuals who have rendered outstanding service to society were felicitated. Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, also addressed the gathering.

Former minister Rajiv Saijal shared his thoughts on the occasion, while Virendra Kashyap, former MP and founder president of the Samajik Dalit Peedit Utthan Sansthan, welcomed and honoured the Governor. Solan Mayor Usha Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma, and representatives of various religious and social organisations were also present.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed concern over rising malnourishment and stunting among children in Himachal Pradesh, suggesting that the current mid-day meal scheme may be falling short in providing adequate nutrition.

Speaking at a ceremony where he flagged off a group of teachers for an international exposure visit to Singapore, the CM questioned the nutritional value of the meals served in schools.

“The number of malnourished and stunted children is increasing in the state. We need to assess whether children are actually receiving sufficient proteins and carbohydrates, or if the food merely fills the stomach,” he said.

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2020–21), over 30 per cent of children under five in Himachal were found to be stunted, and more than 25 per cent were underweight. The state was listed among those with a rise in all major markers of child malnutrition.

To address these concerns, Sukhu said the government will prioritise the nutritional needs of students enrolled in the upcoming Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools, the state’s flagship education programme.

“Education Minister Rohit Thakur is working on deciding the menu for these schools. We won’t be serving old or substandard grains like in the current mid-day meal scheme.

We’re committed to improving food quality,” he assured. Ten such schools—one in each Assembly constituency—are slated to become functional starting next year.

Last year, the state government introduced the Mukhya Mantri Bal Poshak Aahar Yojana to supplement the mid-day meal scheme with weekly servings of an egg or a seasonal fruit such as a banana or an apple.

However, constraints remain. “We do try to serve nutritious meals, but budget limitations are a real challenge. In remote rural areas, where markets are far, meeting daily calorie and protein requirements becomes even more difficult,” said a teacher involved in the scheme.

The 13 deaths, this year so far, due to drug overdose, mainly chitta (heroin), in the state has raised alarm about the emerging threat to the younger generation.

While four deaths due to drug overdose have been reported from Shimla district, as many as three deaths were reported from Kullu district, two each in Bilaspur and Mandi districts and one death each from Solan and Una district.

In March, a 21-year-old youth was found dead allegedly due to drug overdose in the washroom of a restaurant at Sanjauli locality in Shimla.

Upon inspection, injection marks on his arms were found. A similar incident was reported in Mandi district when the body of a youth with syringe in his hand was found by the people.

These deaths have got parents worried. A parent, whose son had been a drug addict, requesting anonymity stated that every time there is news of some young boy dying of drug overdose in the state, it is scary and also makes him feel helpless.

“We want the government to take strict measures to eradicate drug menace, especially chitta, which has made its way even into the rural areas of the state.

The younger generation is easily falling prey to drugs as various videos of youth consuming drugs or being under its influence are being shared on social media. Special focus is needed to get rid of this vice,” he said.

To curb rising drug menace, the state government had initiated various measures. Recently, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a high-level meeting with the senior officers of Himachal Pradesh Police and had directed them to initiate a massive crackdown to dismantle the drug network in the state in mission mode for the next six months.

He had also instructed the officers to take stringent action against drug peddlers and categorically stated that no one involved in drug trade would be spared.

Besides this, the CM also directed the officers to take strict action against government employees who are found involved in such illegal activities.

During the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Budget session, CM Sukhu had stated that at least 60 government employees were found to be involved in drug trade.

He made it clear that government employees against whom concrete evidence of drug smuggling are found would immediately be terminated from service.

The CM had also mentioned the strengthening of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), besides notifying a Special Task Force (STF) headed by a senior police officer to combat drug menace.

In a major road mishap in the early hours of Sunday, a Volvo bus plying on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway overturned at Shilakippar in Mandi district, leaving at least 20 passengers injured.

The incident occurred when the bus was en route to Manali from the Mandi side. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it turned turtle under still undetermined circumstances.

Police sources said the accident took place in the wee hours when most passengers were asleep. The sudden overturning of the bus caused panic among the passengers, several of whom sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Emergency services were quick to. Local authorities, with the help of ambulance services, shifted the injured passengers to the Zonal Hospital in Mandi, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Hospital officials stated that most of the injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, though a few passengers were under observation.

The Mandi police have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to determine the exact cause of the mishap.

Preliminary reports suggest the possibility of overspeeding or a technical fault, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety on the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, particularly on the high-speed corridors like the Kiratpur-Manali stretch.

The authorities have urged transport operators to ensure strict adherence to safety measures to prevent such mishaps in the future.

Heavy hailstorm that had lashed parts of Mandi and Kullu districts yesterday caused extensive damage to apple orchards and other crops, leaving farmers in distress as the flowering season was nearing its peak.

The worst-hit region is the Seraj valley in Mandi district, particularly Thunag and Chhatri areas. Local apple growers reported heavy losses as the hailstorm battered blooming apple trees, pear orchards and other stone fruits.

Ravinder Sisodiya of Thunag and Devender Bablu and Ram Lal Chauhan of Chhatri said that the hailstorm struck at a critical time when apple orchards were in full bloom, significantly affecting the expected yield.

Bablu said, “Our orchard has been badly affected. The intensity of the hailstorm was such that it damaged flowers. This is a setback for us.”

In the neighbouring Kullu district, Banjar subdivision also reported damage to crops. Bhagat Singh, pradhan of Dehuridhar gram panchayat in Banjar, said that a few panchayats in the area experienced similar destruction.

“The hailstorm hit the region hard. Apple orchards and various crops have been damaged,” he added.

Farmers in Mandi and Kullu districts have urged the horticulture and agriculture departments to immediately assess the losses suffered and provide compensation.

“This is a major loss and we cannot recover without government support,” said a farmer in Banjar.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Mandi, and Uttam Prashar, Deputy Director of Kullu, confirmed that the hailstorm had caused extensive damage to crops.

They added that the field staff had been directed to conduct surveys and assess the extent of losses.

“The department staff are actively working on the ground. Our teams are visiting the affected orchards and farms.

Once the assessment reports are compiled, these will be submitted to the state government for further action and relief distribution,” said Gupta.

A spectacular showcase of traditional Himachali culture was witnessed at the district-level Nalwar fair in Karsog, Mandi district, as around 500 women came together for a grand Nati dance performance, popularly known as Mahanati.

Held at the sports ground of Government Senior Secondary School, Karsog, the event emerged as one of the fair’s most captivating highlights.

Organised by nearly 20 women’s groups, including Mahila Mandals and self-help groups from the region, the large-scale cultural display brought folk traditions to life.

Clad in vibrant traditional attire, the women performed the Nati in perfect synchronisation, mesmerising the audience with their grace and infectious enthusiasm.

Narayan Singh, Pradhan of Mamel Gram Panchayat, attended the occasion as the chief guest. During the event, Karsog Naib Tehsildar Shanta Shukla honoured the participating women by presenting each with a Dhathu, a traditional Himachali headscarf, which they proudly wore during the performance.

Tehsildar and fair committee officer Varun Gulati welcomed the chief guest by presenting him with a Himachali shawl and cap as a gesture of respect and appreciation.

The Mahanati not only infused vibrant energy into the fair but also stood as a beautiful testament to the community’s dedication to preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage.

Large-scale illegal mining and dumping of muck and garbage in the Neugal river has led to water contamination of the water body and severe environmental degradation in the surrounding areas.

The river, a vital drinking water source for lower Palampur, is now under threat. The Jal Shakti Department has been lifting water from this river for 60 schemes to supply water to 100 villages.

Though the Jal Shakti Department is well versed with the situation, no steps have been initiated to check contamination of the river water.

Despite persistent opposition from local residents, the mining mafia continues to mine stones with heavy machinery like JCBs and poclain machines, thereby creating trenches up to three to four metre deep in parts of the riverbed.

Recently, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had issued specific orders to Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to stop illegal mining, but hardly any impact was witnessed in the field.

Illegal mining has become highly lucrative business for the mafia in the lower areas of Palampur and Jaisinghpur.

The local authorities, including the police and mining departments, appear to be ignoring these illegal activities.

Several stone crushers operating near rivulets and tributaries of the Beas in Kangra continue to pollute vital water sources despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2021 guidelines.

These directives prohibit setting up stone crushers within 100 metre area of water bodies under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

However, many crushers in Jaisinghpur and Thural violate these norms, further degrading water quality.

Efforts by local panchayats in Thural to combat illegal mining have been hampered by lack of support from the police and mining authorities.

Several complaints made to the police and mining departments and the SDM have yielded no results. The mining mafia continues to flourishes under the shelter of state agencies.

Last month the Chief Minister while addressing Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Polices during a meeting particularly emphasised on the economic and environmental losses caused by illegal mining.

He directed them to enforce a complete ban on such activities. However, this directive has had little impact in Kangra district.

A total of 87 units of blood were collected from 135 registered donors at a blood donation camp organised by the Youth Red Cross Society of Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Red Cross State Branch.

The donors, including students, faculty members, administrative staff and volunteers, demonstrated enthusiasm and civic responsibility.

The initiative aimed to promote voluntary service and raise awareness about the importance of regular blood donation.

Addressing the gathering, the HPNLU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Priti Saxena, lauded the efforts of the Youth Red Cross Society and emphasised the role young individuals play in nation-building through community-focused initiatives.

The Registrar, Dr SS Jaswal, also attended the event and praised the collaborative effort between the student body and the Red Cross.

he medical team, consisting of Dr Payal, Archana, Kusum Thakur, Rajan Bhimta, Sunil and Rakesh, played a crucial role in ensuring the event’s success.

Surinder Gautam, Assistant Secretary of the District Red Cross Society and Virender Bisht, Training Coordinator of the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society, provided support and coordination.

The event was organised by Dr Rohit Sharma, coordinator of the Youth Red Cross Society, along with the president, Romil Chawla and general secretary, Parul Bhalla, in collaboration with the medical team from the Himachal Pradesh Red Cross State Branch.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the 100 MW Uhl Phase-III hydroelectric power project would be formally inaugurated soon.

“The state government had expedited the work on the project, which was damaged due to a penstock burst on May 17, 2020, with a financial assistance of Rs 185 crore.

As a result, 2.97 crore units of electricity had already been generated since its commissioning,” he added.

He said that initiated in 2003, the Uhl Phase-III project was completed after 22 years. Once fully operational, it was expected to generate 392 million units of electricity annually, contributing around Rs 200 crore in revenue to the state each year.

Sukhu said that the state government would strengthen Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and provide all possible support to ensure improved services to the people of the state.

Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of the Energy Department here, said that large-scale recruitment of field staff would be done to ensure seamless ground-level operations.

He appreciated the vital role played by HPSEBL officials and employees in maintaining regular electricity supply in the state.

He said that several HPSEBL officials were at present on deputation to the Directorate of Energy, Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd.

He added that these officials be given the option of permanent absorption in their organisations by April 30. The government would fill the remaining vacant posts on priority to ensure efficient functioning of the organisations.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Chief Minister’s Principal Adviser Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Director Energy Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, Managing Director, HPSEBL, Sandeep Kumar along with other senior officials of the department attended the meeting.

Ninety-eight trees have been felled in lower Sakoh area of Dharamsala for bringing up an ice and roller skating rink by the Tourism Department.

Though the department took permission from the Forest Department, the step has evoked criticism from the residents of Dharamsala.

A state-of-the-art ice and roller skating rink has been planned by the state Tourism Department in Dharamsala. The cost of this project is Rs 39.51 crore and it is being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Sanjeev Chaudhary, a resident of Sakoh, said that some of the trees felled were at least 50 years old. We have grown old seeing these majestic trees in our village and it was painful to see them getting felled, he said.

Dheeraj Mahajan, an animal activist, said the Tourism Department got the trees felled with an expectation that it would be get funds from the ADB for bringing up an ice rink.

As per sources, the state is yet to receive funds for its tourism projects. The department should have at least waited for funds before taking the step. In case the project does not come up, the decades-old trees have already been lost, he said.

District Tourism Officer (DTO) Vinay Dhiman said the trees have been felled in Sakoh after permission from the Forest Department. The ice skating rink has been planned in Sakoh area of Dharamsala to attract tourists.

About 98 trees have been felled, which included many small trees; every precaution was taken in the design so that minimum trees were felled, he said.

The Tourism Development Department has selected the land for this rink in Ward No 9, lower Sakoh of Dharamsala Municipal Corporation.

A hotel will also be built along with this rink, which will be built on about 90 hectares of land. The state government has declared Kangra district as the tourism capital of the state and necessary infrastructure is being built here.

The construction of the rink will provide training to local youth in adventure sports, attract tourists and increase employment opportunities for the youth, the officials said.

The 15 Mile bridge in Manali subdivision, a crucial link connecting the Kullu-Manali left bank road with the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, is set to remain closed for four days, from April 12 to April 15, for essential repairs.

This decision has been taken by the Public Works Department (PWD) to address the deteriorating condition of the bridge, which poses a significant risk of accidents if left unattended.

The PWD has emphasised on the importance of this maintenance work for ensuring the safety of commuters and the long-term usability of the bridge.

According to Manali PWD Executive Engineer Anup Sharma, the department regularly inspects and repairs bridges to prevent accidents and maintain infrastructure standards.

Commenting on the current project, he said, “The 15 Mile bridge will be undergoing repairs, and if weather and other conditions remain favourable, it will be reopened for vehicular movement on April 16.”

During this four-day closure, commuters and transporters have been advised to use alternative routes to minimise inconvenience.

Traffic authorities and local officials are working to ensure smooth transportation in the area, redirecting vehicles to other feasible routes along the state highway.

However, residents and regular commuters are likely to face delays and longer travel times due to the temporary detour.

The closure of the bridge highlights the growing challenges of maintaining essential infrastructure in the region.

The bridge plays a vital role in supporting the movement of tourists, locals and goods. Its temporary closure may also affect the tourism sector, with businesses and transport services preparing to manage disruptions during the repair period.

Its repair is a necessary step to ensure the safety of hundreds of vehicles that use the route daily. The PWD has assured the public that every effort would be made to complete the repairs within the stipulated timeframe, ensuring minimal impact on daily life and economic activities.

Local communities and civic organisations have lauded the PWD’s proactive approach to address infrastructural challenges. Improved infrastructure is seen as vital to sustaining the region’s booming tourism industry and maintaining the quality of life for its residents.