Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the western Himalayas of India, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage. This picturesque state, with its serene landscapes, encompasses a diverse range of mountains, forests, rivers, and valleys, attracting tourists from across the globe.
Its capital, Shimla, once the summer capital of British India, retains its colonial-era charm, coupled with modern developments. Himachal Pradesh is also home to several other popular tourist destinations such as Manali, Dharamshala, and Kasauli, each offering unique experiences from thrilling adventure sports to tranquil spiritual retreats.
The state's economy is significantly supported by tourism, alongside agriculture and hydroelectric power. The diverse flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh contribute to its unique biodiversity, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife researchers. Culturally, it is a mosaic of various traditions and practices, with its festivals, dance, music, and cuisine reflecting the rich heritage of the Himalayan region.
What began as a confrontation in Rishikesh soon spiralled into #BoycottUttarakhand, drawing Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and social media into the same storm.
What started with a clash in Rishikesh has now pulled Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh into a heated online debate over tourism, stereotypes, and viral videos.
A huge influx of tourists during the long weekend has led to severe traffic congestion on the Manali-Rohtang route in Himachal Pradesh, with a 50-km journey taking up to eight hours for many travellers.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, marking his first official visit to the national capital.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani responded to allegations by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leaders that the recent election was stolen and more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers to assess the impact of the West Asia conflict on India’s fuel supply and inflation.
The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has notified a significant hike in entry toll taxes for vehicles entering the state, effective from the next fiscal year.
This news bulletin reports on the intense winter conditions across North India and North America. In India, the second snowfall of the season has commenced at Badrinath Dham, while an orange alert in Shimla has led to snow-covered hills and a surge in tourist inflow. The speaker notes that 'Visuals show the holy shrine wrapped in a thick white blanket as temperatures dip sharply.' In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy snowfall in the Pir Panjal mountains has impacted the Kotranka Subdivision, while children were seen enjoying the weather in other districts. Globally, a massive winter storm has left hundreds of thousands without power in the United States, with nearly 200 million Americans under extreme cold alerts. In New York and Toronto, schools remained shut and travel was severely disrupted, with many flights delayed or cancelled due to the icy conditions and heavy snow accumulation.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Aman Bhardwaj reports on the intensifying cold wave across North India following fresh snowfall in the higher reaches. The plunge in temperatures has led to dense fog in the plains, significantly reducing visibility in Chandigarh and surrounding areas. Aman Bhardwaj notes that 'Himachal Pradesh road connectivity and electricity or the water supply have been affected in several areas' while Punjab and Haryana face a return of severe cold conditions. Minimum temperatures have dipped to 5 to 6 degrees Celsius in regions including Bathinda, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Sirsa. The Meteorology Department has advised citizens to wear warm clothes and remain cautious as a new western disturbance is expected on 27th January, which is likely to make weather conditions even more severe. The report highlights the impact of the chilly weather on daily life and infrastructure across the Shivalik hills and the northern plains.
From Kullu–Manali, where highways are choked with stranded vehicles, to Shimla, where daily life has slowed to a crawl, Himachal Pradesh is grappling with snowfall-triggered chaos.
Northern India is experiencing its first major snowfall of the season, transforming hill towns like Shimla, Manali, Doda, and Uttarkashi into scenic winter landscapes. The speaker notes that 'Shimla woke up to look like a winter wonderland' with trees and rooftops blanketed in thick white layers. While the snowfall has attracted tourists from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has significantly disrupted daily life. The Atal Tunnel remains under heavy snow, leaving vehicles stuck and prompting a police alert. In Jammu and Kashmir's Doda, the serene landscape brings fresh challenges for residents in remote regions. Travel has become hazardous in Manali, where vehicles are skidding on icy roads, and in Uttarkashi, where commuting is nearly impossible due to snow-covered cars. Despite the harsh conditions and sub-zero temperatures, the iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train continues its journey through the ice, and tourists continue to flock to the hills to enjoy the seasonal charm.
This report highlights the onset of the first major snowfall across Northern India, affecting hill towns like Shimla, Manali, Doda, and Uttarkashi. An Unidentified speaker notes, 'It's all snowfall and it's all snow over here and the entire mountains are snow-peaked, the ridge is full of snow and this is the situation out here, the temperatures are dipping, the temperatures run in the minus'. While the snow has attracted tourists from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has significantly disrupted daily life. The iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train was seen navigating through thick ice, and the Atal Tunnel remains under heavy snow. Severe weather conditions have led to traffic jams and skidding vehicles, prompting police to remain on high alert. Despite the challenges of freezing cold and blocked roads, the winter spell has brought a sense of joy to visitors across the northern hill regions.
Panic broke out in Mandi district on Saturday morning after a massive landslide struck barely a foot behind a moving bus, forcing terrified passengers to flee the vehicle.
Parts of North India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Kashmir valley, are experiencing heavy snowfall, leading to significant disruptions. In Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala and Shimla are covered in thick snow, while vehicles struggle on slippery roads in Chamoli. The 'Unidentified speaker' noted that 'Beyond the Patli Kuhal, only 4x4 vehicles that are being permitted' as authorities manage the influx of tourists during the long weekend. While the snow has created a spectacular white blanket across Kashmir, it has also led to the closure of highways and left many commuters stranded. Emergency services, including the SDRF, remain on high alert to handle any exigencies. Traffic at the Atal Tunnel has been completely halted due to heavy snow accumulation, and travellers are being urged to proceed only with confirmed advance bookings to avoid further congestion and safety risks in the high-altitude regions.
On this India Today special report, reporter Asim Basi provides a ground update from the historical ridge in Shimla following the season's first heavy snowfall. Asim Basi noted, 'Yesterday there was heavy snowfall and you can see the visuals now... it is snow peaked all over.' While the fresh snow has brought joy to tourists from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has also led to significant logistical hurdles. The report highlights that entry points to Shimla were choked with traffic, with some travellers taking six hours to cover just 15 kilometres. Despite the challenges to electricity and basic amenities, the long weekend has seen a massive footfall. Additionally, authorities have halted traffic at the Atal Tunnel due to significant snow accumulation, permitting only 4x4 vehicles beyond Patli Kuhal. Travellers are advised to proceed only with confirmed advance bookings as the administration manages the heavy rush and picturesque but difficult weather conditions.
This special report anchored by Akshita Nandagopal examines the political friction surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Indian economy. Gandhi characterizes the current fiscal state as a dead economy, citing the impact of 50% US tariffs on Indian textiles under the Trump administration. The program features a debate between BJP’s RP Singh and Congress spokesperson Anshul Avijit regarding infrastructure spending, private investment, and poverty alleviation. Insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos include perspectives from economists like Geeta Gopinath on India’s growth trajectory and data transparency. Additionally, the report features NASA astronaut Sunita Williams reflecting on her 27-year career, her bond with Kalpana Chawla’s family, and the future of lunar exploration. The broadcast also covers the impact of heavy snowfall in Jammu, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, which has disrupted flights and road connectivity. This comprehensive coverage bridges domestic economic policy, international trade relations with the United States, scientific milestones, and the logistical challenges posed by winter weather in northern India.
On this Special Report, Poli Saha highlights the severe disruption caused by fresh snowfall across North India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The reporter notes that 'Operations at the Srinagar airport were hit hard as snowfall forced the cancellation of at least 26 flights.' While the valley appears pristine, the heavy snow has grounded flights, blocked key mountain roads, and led to the closure of schools due to safety concerns and freezing temperatures. The report mentions that tourist hotspots like Gulmarg recorded up to 24 inches of snow, while Shimla experienced its first snowfall of the season. Authorities are currently working to clear runways and restore connectivity as the cold wave intensifies across the region. The programme explores the dual nature of the winter spell, balancing the scenic beauty of the white expanse with the logistical challenges faced by residents and travellers in the higher reaches.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 150 on the night of January 16.
In this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 115. Kapoor highlights the systemic failure, stating, 'Time to hold the system accountable,' as India Today accesses exclusive details from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The report reveals that five departments of the Noida Authority are under the scanner, with officials from the SDRF, fire department, and police being questioned regarding response times and lack of precautions. The program also features insights from Arvind Ojha on the SIT's progress and Piyush Mishra's interaction with anguished locals who describe the pit as a hazardous sewage dump. Additionally, the broadcast addresses how severe air pollution is threatening India's global sporting ambitions and provides a winter update on heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand ahead of the Republic Day long weekend.
In this India Today special report, anchor Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the intense winter conditions currently gripping North India. Following a late arrival, the season has intensified with heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor notes, 'In the national capital and its adjoining regions, the smell of rain has finally brought the much-needed relief and cheer from the toxic air,' as Delhi's AQI improves. The bulletin highlights significant disruptions, including the cancellation of 26 flights at Srinagar airport and the closure of key mountain passes like Zojila and Mughal Road due to several feet of snow. While the snowfall has transformed tourist hotspots like Gulmarg and Shimla into scenic landscapes just ahead of the Republic Day long weekend, local authorities face challenges in restoring power and road connectivity. Correspondents Ashraf Wani, Ankit Sharma, and Maninder Arora provide ground updates on the weather's impact on agriculture, tourism, and daily life in the Himalayan region.
