The dominant story of the week was the intense weather system that ended a prolonged dry spell but threw daily life into disarray.
Widespread Disruption: Heavy snowfall and rain lashed the state, leading to the closure of over 1,200 roads, including key national highways . The severe weather disrupted power and water supplies across multiple districts, particularly in Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba.
Viral Phenomena: A dramatic video from the Pangi Valley showed a “river of snow” flowing through a village, capturing the intensity of the precipitation.
Tourist Chaos in Manali: The heavy snow led to a massive traffic gridlock in Manali. Tourists were stranded for nearly 24 hours, with reports of hotels at full capacity and visitors forced to walk with luggage on icy roads . In a display of “Himachal spirit,” local women were seen serving hot tea to stranded tourists.
IAF Rescues: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted critical rescue operations, including airlifting an 85-year-old paralyzed woman from a snow-cut village at 9,000 feet.
Tragedy and Loyalty: In a heart-wrenching incident in Chamba, two cousins died after getting trapped in the snow. A pet Pitbull dog guarded the body of its owner for four days in freezing temperatures until rescuers arrived .
The presentation of the Union Budget triggered a sharp political divide in the state.
CM Sukhu’s Criticism: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu slammed the budget as “inequitable” and a “labyrinth of neglect” . He argued that ending the revenue deficit grant violates the federal rights of states and flagged the lack of specific disaster aid.
Apple Industry Concerns: The state government expressed deep concern over the Centre’s trade policies, specifically the reduction of import duties on foreign apples, which the CM warned would hurt local growers.
Centre’s Focus: Conversely, the BJP hailed the budget as “historic” . Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the development of ecologically sustainable trekking and hiking trails in Himachal Pradesh to boost tourism.
Panchayats Dissolved: As the five-year tenure of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) ended, the state government dissolved these bodies and appointed administrative committees to manage affairs until new elections are held.
Forest Cover Funding: CM Sukhu met with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging the Centre to recognize 29.5% forest cover in ecological calculations to ensure fair financial allocations for the state.
Police Achievement: The Himachal Pradesh Police secured the first position nationally for the fastest average response time under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).
New Election Rules: The government announced amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act to bar individuals accused of drug trafficking from contesting panchayat polls.
Road Restoration: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully cleared snow to restore the vital 112-km Kishtwar-Sansari road, reconnecting the Chenab region of J&K with Himachal.
Aviation Push: The state government committed ₹31 crore annually to support flight operations on the Delhi-Shimla and Shimla-Dharamshala routes. CM Sukhu also sought Central support for the expansion of the Kangra airport .
Cancer Care: The Chief Minister announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art cancer care center with 11 departments in Hamirpur.
Nalagarh Blast Arrests: In a major breakthrough, the Punjab Police arrested two operatives linked to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module in connection with the Nalagarh police station blast; an IED was also recovered.
Civic Sense Debate: A viral video showing cars blocking an ambulance on a narrow road sparked a debate about traffic etiquette and civic sense among drivers.
Kabaddi: The Himachal women’s team reached the semi-finals of the 72nd Senior National Kabaddi Championship but eventually bowed out.
Winter Sports: The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) announced the introduction of snowboarding courses in Manali to cater to growing demand.
Follow live news coverage & dive deep into the week’s top stories at residentpahari.com
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