Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Sunday broadcast of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, highlighted Uttarakhand’s winter tourism and urged citizens to experience the Himalayan valleys during the colder months. Devoting around two and a half minutes to the state, Modi spoke about Uttarakhand’s potential for winter tourism, adventure sports, and wedding destinations. He noted that winter tourism is increasingly attracting visitors, with destinations like Auli, Munsiyari, Dayara, and Chopta becoming particularly popular. High-Altitude Ultra Marathon Draws EnthusiastsThe Prime Minister also mentioned the state’s first ‘High Altitude Ultra Run Marathon’ held at Adi Kailash, Pithoragarh, situated at over 14,500 feet. Despite the freezing 5 a.m. temperatures, more than 750 athletes f...

Dehradun: November in Uttarakhand has passed unusually dry. Typically, higher-altitude areas witness early snowfall, but this year, precipitation remained minimal. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast light rain and snowfall in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh starting December 4, while other districts are expected to remain dry. Nighttime Temperatures PlummetThe state is experiencing biting cold during the night, with a sharp drop in minimum temperatures leading to increased chill from the hills to the plains during mornings and evenings. Daytime sunshine provides temporary relief from the cold. According to the Meteorological Centre, the weather is unlikely to change significantly over the next two days. Western Disturbance Brings Snow and RainThe activation of a...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Notorious Dehradun-based builder Shashwat Garg, along with his wife Sakshi Garg, has reportedly fled to Nepal after allegedly defrauding investors of crores of rupees. Despite continuous monitoring, authorities were unable to apprehend the couple. Following complaints from investors, the Regional Passport Office, Dehradun, has immediately cancelled the passports of both Shashwat and Sakshi Garg. Timeline of EventsOn 17 October, Shashwat Garg visited his in-laws in Hapur and told his family he would return to Dehradun in the evening. However, both his and Sakshi’s phones went unreachable shortly afterward. Police in Hapur and Dehradun launched searches but failed to locate them. Escape via Mumbai to KathmanduInvestigations revealed that Shashwat left his luxury ...

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand: The Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, is facing a silent but growing crisis as roads and buildings in the historic Landour market show signs of severe subsidence. Residents report a climate of fear, questioning whether the government is waiting for a major disaster before taking action. In the past two years, parts of the road have sunk nearly a foot, cracks have spread across buildings, and accidents have become increasingly frequent, leaving the community in uncertainty. Even more alarming is that scientific reports prepared by expert agencies have not been made public, raising concerns among locals about transparency and preparedness. Cracks in the Ground, Cracks in TrustThe deep fissures in Landour market roads indicate that the problem is far from superficial. S...

Dehradun: Uttarakhand continues to experience dry weather as November progresses, with no significant rainfall reported across most regions. According to the Meteorological Center, the coming days are expected to remain dry, with daytime temperatures slightly higher, offering temporary relief from the morning chill. Dense fog in the plains and frost in the hilly areas are causing additional hardships for residents, while bright sunshine during the day is pushing maximum temperatures upward. However, temperatures drop sharply in the evening, leading to cold nights. Udhamsingh Nagar, for instance, has experienced nights colder than Mukteshwar due to a steep drop in minimum temperatures. On Friday, Dehradun and surrounding areas enjoyed bright sunlight during the day, but the temperatur...

The haunting last words of the Aryan Aviation helicopter pilot, who perished in the Kedarnath crash on June 15, have come to light: “I can’t see anything, turning…” The tragic incident near Guptkashi claimed the lives of all seven people on board. The interim report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirms that the pilot’s statement reflected the sudden loss of visibility, which led to the helicopter colliding with a mountain during the first morning flight of the day. The helicopter, registration VT-BKA, was scheduled for the first flight under the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) slot system, which permits flights at sunrise. Retired Army aviator Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan reached Guptkashi around 4:30 AM, underwent a breathalyzer test, ...

Dehradun: A devastating incident occurred in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district when an elephant attacked a scooter-riding family, killing their 12-year-old son. The parents narrowly escaped by jumping into a roadside drain, while locals managed to drive the elephant back into the forest. The incident took place on Thursday evening near Kalu Wala on the Dehradun-Raipur road. According to reports, Kamal Thapa, a resident of Kothari Mohalla, Jollygrant, was traveling on a scooter with his wife Neelam and their son Kunal, a sixth-grade student. They were returning home after picking up Kunal’s medication. Suddenly, an elephant carrying a calf appeared on the road ahead. Before the family could react, the elephant grabbed Kunal with its trunk and threw him onto the road. The child sustained...

Dehradun: The plains of Uttarakhand are experiencing hazy conditions, while the hill regions are shrouded in dense fog. Dry and cold weather continues across the state, with no rainfall expected in the coming days, according to the Meteorological Department. Temperatures and ForecastMinimum temperatures are expected to rise slightly by 1–2°C in the plains. This dry spell is likely to continue until 3 December, with intermittent light to moderate fog in the mountainous areas. Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts may experience haze in pockets. On Thursday, Dehradun recorded a maximum of 26.0°C and a minimum of 8.2°C, while Pantnagar saw 25.4°C maximum and 5.1°C minimum. In the hills, Mukteshwar recorded 16.2°C maximum and 4.2°C minimum, and New Tehri registered 16.5°C maximum and ...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a landmark development in Jaunsar Bawar, the centuries-old tradition of selecting a single village head, or Syna, has been broken. For the first time, the Dalit community of Bijnu Bijnad village has elected its own separate Syna, who was ceremoniously paraded on a wooden elephant during the post-Badi Diwali celebrations. Breaking Centuries-Old Tradition Traditionally, villages in Jaunsar Bawar had only one Syna, typically chosen from affluent families. This system, established during the British era, also played a role in assisting revenue collection. However, this year, 35 Dalit families took a historic step by electing their own Syna, Sunil Kumar, marking a significant move towards social equality. The selection ceremony included placing the newly elect...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: The weather in Uttarakhand remains largely dry, with temperatures dropping sharply across the state. Over the next two to three days, a slight rise of 1–2°C in minimum temperatures is expected, while light to moderate fog may settle in some hilly areas. Current Weather Conditions On Wednesday, Dehradun experienced bright sunshine throughout the day, though cold winds made the chill noticeable. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 25.0°C and a minimum of 8.2°C. Other parts of the state reported similar conditions: Pantnagar: Max 25.4°C, Min 5.1°C Mukteshwar: Max 16.2°C, Min 4.2°C New Tehri: Max 16.5°C, Min 3.6°C In the plains, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar experienced mild morning haze, while the mountain regions faced icy conditions. Gan...