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CM dedicates projects worth more than 50 crores in Haroli constituency
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Bathu in Haroli assembly segment of Una district today said that though many big industrial houses were coming up in the State but main-stay of the economy of the people comes from agriculture and similar allied sectors. As much of the population of the State was residing in villages, the people were more dependent upon cultivating crops said he adding that many were now in the business of producing off-season vegetables and fruits which yields them good profits. He said that the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, which were the backbone of the economy of the hill people needs to be strengthened more.
Referring to Haroli assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that it has witnessed massive development due to hard-work of its MLA. “It is not like the development was being carried out in Haroli alone but the Government was equally concerned about all the regions of the State”, he said adding our State should be cited elsewhere as a new model of development in the country.
He said that much more is required to be done in the field of development and the participation and co-operation of the people is must. It is wrong to say that the State Government was giving added attention to the Haroli as being claimed by the opposition, he said adding that the Government was endeavouring to equally develop all regions of the State irrespective of region and religion.
“We don’t create divide amongst the people on the issues of development” he added and cautioned few bent upon to carve up the differences and misguide the people.
He said that development in Una was due to successive congress policies in their regimes. More projects were coming up in the State and the Government had taken up the major Swan River project and will finish the work successfully in a time bound manner. He said that all 73 tributaries of the Swan were also being channelized. “In India, Swan was only such a project where not only the main river but also the tributaries of the main river were also being channelized”, he said.
Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated Rs. 27 crore, 132 KV Sub-Station at Bathu which will improve the low voltage problem of the area and also the transmission and distribution losses would be reduced to the minimum. Not only this, the industrial belts of Tahliwal and Santoshgarh, Gurplah, Gondpur, Pubowal, Kuthar, Dulehar, Laleri and in the periphery would be benefited from this. Besides, as many as 25360 domestic, commercial and agricultural consumers of the area will also reap its benefits, added he.
Earlier, the Chief Minister performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 33 KV Electricity Sub-Centre at Bathu to be constructed at a cost of Eight crore which will benefit Eight Panchayats of the area with a population of around 8600. He directed the authorities to complete the work of the substation within a year.
He also performed the ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ of improvement and strengthening of Rs 17.50 crore Bankhandi-Jhalera Road, from Punjab border at Santoshgarh to Una.
The Chief Minister announced the office of Sub Divisional Police Officer at Haroli and said that the matter for setting up Electrical division at Haroli would be taken care of after consulting the concerned Minister. The Chief Minister also agreed in-principle for opening tourism Hotel at Una. He announced setting up of Primary Health Centre at Palakwah and up-gradation of Ispur Ayurveda Hospital’s bed capacity from 10 to 20. He also announced to open an Auditorium at Haroli.
Mukesh Agnihotri, Industries Minister while thanking the Chief Minister for dedicating the works worth more than 50 crores in the Haroli constituency and also thanked the MPP and Agriculture Minister for gracing the occasion and for 133 KV and 33 KV sub stations at Bathu in Haroli.
Taking a jibe over the statements of the opposition the Minister said that the BJP had started criticizing the Chief Ministers tour of the area and at last have started analyzing and realizing that development worth crores was taking place in Haroli. He said that it was wrong on the part of the opposition to air the rumours and terming the developments works as “Nautanki’(Drama). Referring to the opposition, he said that why not they took over the charge of the development of the Una district during their tenure? He said that Rs 15.15 crore Ajoli- Laluwal road was under construction and also the 922.48 crore Swan Channelisation project was underway.
Besides, IIIT, number of bridges, Health and Education Institutes in the area were enough to make the opposition realize that equal development was being ensured in all constituencies of the district. He said that Industry worth Rs. 300 crore in Amb in Una district was also coming up soon.
He placed the local demands of the area and listed the development activities in Una district.
Sujan Singh Pathania, MPP and Agriculture Minister, Kuldeep Kumar, Chairman, HP State Finance Commission also spoke on the occasion.
Sh Rakesh Kalia, Secretary, All India Congress Committee, while welcoming the Chief Minister thanked him for undertaking Daulatpur College in Government sector and also appreciated the efforts of Industries Minister for making his constituency a Model of development.
Dr. Simi Agnihotri honoured the Chief Minister and other distinguished guests present on the occasion.
Virendar Dharmani, Member, Board of Directors, HPTDC and District Congress Committee president also spoke on the occasion. Block Congress President Haroli, Ranjeet Singh Rana and Suman Thakur Zila Parishad member also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the development works in the area.
Earlier, Smt Surekha Rana, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Bathu and President District Mahila Congress thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating 132 KV electric Sub Station and said that the low voltage problem of the area would be solved and also placed the local demands of the area on the occasion.
Subhash Manglet, Chairman HP State Agriculture Marketing Board, Hardeep Singh Bawa, Chairman, Building Works and Other Construction Welfare Board, Jagdish Chand Saphiya, Chairman, Kangra Central Co-operative Bank, Onkar Sharma, Ex-Vice-chairman HP Agro Packaging Board, Chairman, District Marketing Committee, Shiv Kumar Saini Senior officers of the district, Pradhans, Up-Pradhans, Members of Panchayat Samiti were present on the occasion amongst others
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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