News for '-himalayan'

Cloudburst Wreaks Havoc In Uttarakhand

Cloudburst Wreaks Havoc In Uttarakhand

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, disaster swept through the Himalayan village of Dharali on way to Gangotri with a massive cloudburst leading to flash floods that barrelled through homes, trees and cars.

New LAC Road Revives Memories Of China's 1962 Push

New LAC Road Revives Memories Of China's 1962 Push

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

At the end of the discussion, the older Monpa said that if today the Chinese were to come inside India, "I will fight and kill them", prudently adding, "if they are of my age, if they are younger soldiers, I will not be able to fight". The entire village had a good laugh.

'We Shouldn't Expect Immediate Results With China'

'We Shouldn't Expect Immediate Results With China'

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

'If China shows greater concerns for Indian interests, ties could improve. Otherwise, the thaw could be short-lived.'

Uttarkashi rescue operations intensify, 65 stranded people airlifted

Uttarkashi rescue operations intensify, 65 stranded people airlifted

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Rescue operations in Uttarakhand's flash flood-ravaged Uttarkashi district gained momentum, with stranded people airlifted and efforts stepped up to search for those trapped under rubble.

'China Is Discovering That Hostility With India Is Prohibitively Expensive'

'China Is Discovering That Hostility With India Is Prohibitively Expensive'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

'If they can be duplicitous, we can be equally duplicitous.' 'If they offer friendship, we reciprocate.' 'If they choose hostility, we respond with equal hostility.'

NDRF deploys cadaver dogs in Uttarakhand rescue

NDRF deploys cadaver dogs in Uttarakhand rescue

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The NDRF has deployed its first-ever team of cadaver dogs to help locate those feared dead in the cloudburst incident in Uttarakhand. Disaster swept through the Himalayan village of Dharali on the way to Gangotri on Tuesday with a massive cloudburst leading to flash floods that barrelled through homes, trees, and cars, trapping 60-70 people and leaving at least four dead.

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Nepal's claim on Lipulekh and Kalapani reopens a 200-year-old border dispute, while historical maps and treaties show the area belongs to India, asserts Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).

Khelo India Brings First-Ever Water Sports to Kashmir

Khelo India Brings First-Ever Water Sports to Kashmir

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival is all set to reveal the iconic Dal Lake in a new avatar.

Kishtwar cloudburst: Mud-covered bodies, survivors reveal horror

Kishtwar cloudburst: Mud-covered bodies, survivors reveal horror

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

The shocking scenes of physical and psychological trauma unfolded on a massive scale as search and rescue operations were underway, digging out mud-buried bodies and rescuing the injured trapped in slush and rocks after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst devastated Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday.

After Brahmaputra dam, China to build Xinjiang-Tibet rail link near LAC

After Brahmaputra dam, China to build Xinjiang-Tibet rail link near LAC

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

China is set to build a rail link connecting Xinjiang province with Tibet, part of which will run near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.

The Sweet Rise of Indian Chocolates

The Sweet Rise of Indian Chocolates

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

India's craft chocolate makers are changing the market by using local cacao, creating bold new flavours, making chocolate both a luxury and a story.

Massive cloudburst kills 46 in Kishtwar, many trapped

Massive cloudburst kills 46 in Kishtwar, many trapped

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

As night fell over Chositi village, rescuers worked frantically and pulled out 167 people from under mounds of rubble. Of these, 38 are in a serious condition, officials said. The death toll went up steadily as the day progressed and there were fears it could rise further.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar district that claimed 60 lives and injured over 100. Abdullah expressed condolences and assured assistance, while also questioning potential administrative lapses.

China begins $168-bn dam project over Brahmaputra amid India's concerns

China begins $168-bn dam project over Brahmaputra amid India's concerns

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

China has formally started the construction of a USD 167.8 billion dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

Char Dham helicopter services suspended for 2 days after fatal crash

Char Dham helicopter services suspended for 2 days after fatal crash

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

After chairing an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that heli services on the Char Dham route will remain suspended for two days, as the weather is bad and the safety of the passengers is the government's top priority.

India pays tributes to Kargil bravehearts on Vijay Diwas

India pays tributes to Kargil bravehearts on Vijay Diwas

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying tributes to military personnel who fought valiantly in harsh conditions to hand Pakistan a crushing defeat in the 1999 Kargil conflict.

'You Will See More Devastation In Uttarakhand'

'You Will See More Devastation In Uttarakhand'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

'The government only wakes up after devastation.' 'The government does not understand the gravity of the situation nor they do not want to understand the gravity of the situation.'

Flash floods devastate Uttarkashi village; 4 killed, houses buried

Flash floods devastate Uttarkashi village; 4 killed, houses buried

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

A cloudburst in the high altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand led to flash floods, causing damage to houses and sweeping away structures. Several people are feared buried under debris.

How R&D Powers India's Himalayan-Altitude Flight

How R&D Powers India's Himalayan-Altitude Flight

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

HAL's sustained, long-term income will come from the design, development, manufacture, overhaul, and upgrade of a family of helicopters designed for deployment on India's 21,000-foot-high Himalayan frontier with Pakistan and China.

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'There is a clear relationship between the Char Dham road widening and these landslides.' 'The situation has further worsened with the massive influx of tourists whose number are running into several lakhs per month.' 'No parameters have been laid down to control tourist inflow and the result is that the Char Dham yatra has seen a sharp escalation in accidents and loss of lives.'

Uttarkashi floods: 2 bodies recovered, fear grows for trapped

Uttarkashi floods: 2 bodies recovered, fear grows for trapped

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Landslides blocked arterial roads leading up to Dharali where dozens of people were trapped and many homes and cars swept away by the raging waters on Tuesday. Eleven Army personnel from the nearby camp in Harsil were among those missing.

Indian astronomers discover a rare cosmic twist

Indian astronomers discover a rare cosmic twist

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have discovered an unexpectedly high abundance of germanium in the Extreme Helium star A980, challenging existing theories about stellar chemistry and the evolution of rare stars.

Tanvi The Great Review: Overdose Of Sentimentality

Tanvi The Great Review: Overdose Of Sentimentality

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

The film lurches from one melodramatic situation to another, for nearly 160 minutes, before culminating in an ending that embodies Director Anupam Kher's personal philosophy: Kuch bhi ho sakta hain, notes Mayur Sanap.

Trump Taunts Modi, But India, US Still Do Business

Trump Taunts Modi, But India, US Still Do Business

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

India and the US have collaborated through the past one month on launching a powerful satellite; are commencing joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 jet engines in India; India is participating in a massive three week-long military exercise in the Western Pacific, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

At 126.7 mm average rainfall, India sees wettest May in 124 years

At 126.7 mm average rainfall, India sees wettest May in 124 years

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

The early onset of the southwest monsoon brought continuous rainfall across southern and eastern India, contributing to this record.

The High Stakes In Dalai Lama's Succession

The High Stakes In Dalai Lama's Succession

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

On July 2 or July 6, the Dalai Lama will reveal his mind on his successor. This makes Beijing extremely nervous as the Communist regime fully realises the importance of controlling the next Dalai Lama, points out Claude Arpi.

Arunachal CM warns of China's 'water bomb'

Arunachal CM warns of China's 'water bomb'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed grave concerns over China's mega dam project near the Arunachal border, calling it a 'water bomb' and an existential threat.

What Makes J&K's Vande Bharat One Of A Kind

What Makes J&K's Vande Bharat One Of A Kind

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

The new Vande Bharat train is custom-built for Himalayan winter conditions, includes heated windscreens, thermally insulated lavatories, and advanced sub-zero heating systems.

Scottish-born travel writer Bill Aitken dies in Dehradun at 90

Scottish-born travel writer Bill Aitken dies in Dehradun at 90

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Noted Scottish-born travel writer Bill Aitken, known for his writings on Indian mountains, rivers, and railways, died in Dehradun at the age of 90. Aitken, who arrived in India in the late 1950s, traveled extensively throughout the country, especially in and around the Himalayan ashrams of Kausani and Mirtola. He lived between Delhi and Mussoorie since the 1970s. In over two dozen travel books, Aitken explored India's religious and natural landscapes, wrote intimately about its people and their beliefs, and had a keen interest in Indian railways. Some of his noted works include "Seven Sacred Rivers," "Divining the Deccan - A Motorbike to the Heart of India," "Footloose in the Himalaya," and "Exploring Indian Railways."

The Importance Of Being The Dalai Lama

The Importance Of Being The Dalai Lama

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

One can only sincerely wish the Dalai Lama a very long life at the service of world peace. His presence is much required today on the planet, notes Claude Arpi, who has known His Holiness for more than half a century.

Indian climber dies while descending from Mt Everest

Indian climber dies while descending from Mt Everest

Rediff.com16 May 2025

A 45-year-old Indian climber died on Mt Everest after showing signs of altitude sickness while descending from the summit point of the world's highest peak, according to a media report on Friday.

India reiterates non-interference in Dalai Lama succession plan

India reiterates non-interference in Dalai Lama succession plan

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

India has stated its neutral stance on religious matters following the Dalai Lama's announcement of his succession plan, which China has rejected. The statement comes as the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday, with China urging India to exercise caution on Tibet-related issues.

Will Delhi Get Respite From Heat Wave By June 25?

Will Delhi Get Respite From Heat Wave By June 25?

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Heatwave may abate over most parts of North India in next two days; temperatures likely to drop by 2-3C.

Whistling via the Himalayas: Kashmir's train ride redefines scenic travel

Whistling via the Himalayas: Kashmir's train ride redefines scenic travel

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains between Katra town and Srinagar city, reducing travel time between the two places by two to three hours and ensuring all-weather surface connectivity with the Kashmir valley.

Dalai Lama's successor must get China's nod, says Beijing; US rift likely

Dalai Lama's successor must get China's nod, says Beijing; US rift likely

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

His successor issue is also expected to flare up fresh tensions between Beijing and Washington as China's policy comes in conflict with the US Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020, which reaffirmed America's steadfast support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Five pilgrims and a pilot onboard a helicopter had a narrow escape when the aircraft on its way to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway in Rudraprayag district on Saturday after developing a technical snag during take-off, officials said.

'Very Important Birds Don't Appear In The Flight Path'

'Very Important Birds Don't Appear In The Flight Path'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

'The speed at which an aircraft lands or takes off, even a single object can work as a bullet.'

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The visitor returns not just with the jewel-like beauty of the country imprinted on the mind, the body rejuvenated by hot stone massages, but also with the captivating stories and myths that are built into every important structure -- whether a tourist magnet or an off-the-beaten track spot.

5 crashes, zero action: Kedarnath's air safety crisis deepens

5 crashes, zero action: Kedarnath's air safety crisis deepens

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

The recent helicopter crash near Kedarnath, in which seven lives were lost, has proven yet again that aviation regulatory authorities have not learnt lessons from similar air mishaps in the challenging Kedar valley and have done little to improve flying conditions.