Mount Abu weather forecast: cold wave alert!

 Mount Abu welcomes the first cold wave, revealing a winter wonderland.

The weather gauge showed -3 °C last night.

Photograph per kind favour, Anil (Babbars Den)

The Meteorological Department predicts Mount Abu, the magnificent hill station in the Aravalli Range, will experience its first cold wave from January 5 to January 11, 2024. Last night, the temperature dropped to a bone-chilling -3 degrees Celsius, adorning the town in an icy vision photographed by the temperature gauge.

A Chilly Run-up: In the latter days of November, indicators pointed to the prospect of a frosty winter piqued Abuites’ interest. However, December was pleasantly surprising, with nighttime temperatures comfortably hanging around zero degrees for most of the month.

Frosty mornings and magical evenings:

As dawn broke this morning, massive pockets of frost covered large areas of fields, turning Mount Abu into a winter wonderland. I expect the next several days to be cold, with fog creating a beautiful spell in the mornings and nights. This enticing weather enchants residents and draws many tourists to this small hill station, eager to experience the distinctive allure of a frost-kissed landscape.

Greetings from The Abode of Gods, and a “Happy New Year”

With this being the first blog post of the year, I’d like to convey my sincere greetings to all my readers. I wish you a wonderful New Year filled with love, laughter, and the delight of shared moments from the magnificent world of Mount Abu. May the next year be a tapestry of amazing events, much like Mount Abu’s frost-kissed landscapes. Accept the chill, relish the magic, and let the winter winds take you into a year full of warmth and wonder. Cheers to the year 2024!

Mount Abu Ravaged Yet Again: When the Skies Turn Without Warning

Mount Abu Faces Nature’s Wrath as an Unseasonal Storm Strikes Early

Greetings from Mount Abu, the Abode of Gods.

 

Mount Abu—the tranquil refuge in the ancient folds of the Aravalli Range—was once again at the mercy of a restless sky. The India Meteorological Department forecast an unusual weather spell for Monday and Tuesday, which arrived ahead of time, catching both residents and travellers off guard.

 The day had begun with deceptive calm. By mid-morning, however, the mood shifted. Around 10 a.m., clouds gathered with intent, darkening the sky in slow, deliberate strokes. What followed was not a passing shower but a full-blown assault—torrential rain, violent gusts, and lightning that tore through the hills with unsettling frequency. For those navigating the winding ascent from Abu Road, it was less a journey and more an ordeal.

 By late afternoon, the storm had reached its crescendo. Winds howled through the valleys, bending trees and rattling rooftops, while flashes of lightning illuminated the hills in stark, momentary clarity. It was a spectacle—beautiful in its raw power, yet unsettling.

 Life Interrupted

 As the storm tightened its grip, the town’s fragile infrastructure faltered. Power outages plunged large parts of Mount Abu into darkness. Many spent the night by flickering candlelight and felt the cold creep in with uncertainty, though the electricity department scrambled to restore supply.

 In its wake, the storm left behind 45 mm of rain—enough to awaken dry streambeds and rejuvenate the parched landscape. The hills, draped in mist, regained their postcard charm. Yet beneath that beauty lay the quiet disruption of daily life: damaged property, frayed nerves, and a growing sense that such events are no longer rare.

 When Lightning Strikes Close

 Stories from the ground carried a more personal edge. One resident recounted witnessing two lightning strikes in close succession—one near the Neelkanth temple along the main road, the other over a residential area. The latter left a trail of damage, knocking out dish antennas and destroying electronic equipment. These were not distant flashes on the horizon—they were reminders, delivered close, of nature’s unchecked force.

 A Pattern Emerging

 This is no isolated incident. erratic weather has caught Mount Abu and much of Rajasthan, with unseasonal rain, sudden temperature swings, and storms that defy both timing and intensity. The influence of western disturbances has grown less predictable, and the line between seasons continues to blur.

 To call it “unusual weather” feels inadequate now. These are signals—clear, insistent—of a climate under stress.

 Beauty, Disruption, and a Warning

 There is always a strange duality in Mount Abu after such storms. The air turns crisp, the hills glow under drifting mist, and streams hum back to life. Tourists return, drawn as ever to its charm. But for those who live here, each storm leaves behind more than just refreshed landscapes—it leaves questions.

How many more such “unseasonal” events before they become the norm?

How prepared are we—really—for what lies ahead?

Mount Abu endures, as it always has. But resilience should not be mistaken for immunity. The storm may have passed, but its message lingers in the damp earth, the broken branches, and the uneasy silence that follows.

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PostScriptPostScript:

In a twist that underscores the growing unpredictability, an abrupt dip followed the storm, ushering in an unseasonal chill more typical of deep winter. Another reminder, perhaps, that in today’s climate reality, even the seasons no longer follow their own rules.

Mount Abu temperature gauge, per kind favour, Anil.

For a comfortable stay at Mount Abu, contact Anil

at 

Babbars' Den.

The Unusual Death of a Young Leopard on Mount Abu Raises Conservation Concerns

 How did the young leopard die?

How did the young leopard die

Mount Abu, located in the heart of the Aravalli Range, is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to Rajasthan's elusive leopards. The number of leopard deaths in this region has decreased, showing that conservation measures are effective. However, a recent occurrence has placed doubt on this success tale, when a juvenile leopard's life was cut short under mysterious circumstances.

My niece, a dedicated naturalist and instructor at St. Mary's High School, gave me a heartbreaking WhatsApp video of a juvenile leopard laying still. The lack of evidence of combat ruled out any imminent attack, but doubts lingered: How did this young leopard meet its terrible demise? Was it a natural death, or was something more sinister at work?

The idea of poisoning seemed unlikely because Abu has a lot of trap cameras and regularly checks on the animals in the forest. Given the increasing monitoring of such activities, poaching was also a dubious answer. Could it be a poisonous snake bite? A probable possibility, but we can only speculate until more evidence becomes available.

The video showed that the juvenile leopard's body was being thoroughly studied by wildlife experts from the forest department. A definite answer to the riddle, however, lies with a postmortem investigation, a vital step in uncovering the facts behind this tragic death. Wildlife experts from the forest department conducted a comprehensive study, which they will send to Jaipur's headquarters. This study provides insights that might bring this depressing chapter to a close.

WhatsApp Video 2023-08-22 at 6.56.58 PM.mp4

The death of the juvenile leopard serves as a sharp reminder of the perilous predicament in which these gorgeous creatures find themselves. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 lists leopards as an endangered species, and we classify them as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List due to habitat degradation, decreasing food sources, and the illegal trade of their skins and body parts.

As updates become available, how this vibrant new life was destroyed will weigh heavily on the minds of environmentalists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts alike. Our united optimism is based on the determined work of the government and organisations charged with protecting these priceless creatures.

The leopards of Mount Abu have caught our imaginations and emotions, symbolising the problematic balance between humans and nature. The mystery surrounding this baby leopard's fate serves as a rallying cry for fresh conservation efforts, emphasising the need to protect these natural riches for future generations.

How this vibrant new life was destroyed will weigh heavily on the minds of environmentalists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts alike as updates become available. The government and organizations are working hard to protect these priceless creatures, which makes us hopeful.

23 Aug 2023

News clip on the cremation of the leopard sent via WhatsApp per kind favour Deepash

An Update on the above report:

Click the link: 👇

Two-year-old female leopard found dead: death due.....

Mount Abu Battles to Manage Independence Day Tourist Influx

 Finding a Balance to appease and control the overcrowding of tourists.

Tourists heading up the hill for the weekend 

Per kind favour a concerned Abuite.

                           

Nestled amidst natural splendour, Mount Abu, often hailed as “The Abode of the Gods,” witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist footfall during the recent pre-Independence Day weekend. While the predicted influx brought vibrancy to the hill station, it also brought to light some significant challenges.

From August 11 to August 15, 2023, Mount Abu experienced a record influx of visitors, turning its serene streets into a lively hub of activity. However, this expected outpouring in tourism came with its share of hurdles that the local administration had to contend with.

The picturesque journey up the winding roads of Abu, which provides a tranquil prelude to the stay for travellers, turned into a gruelling trek for many. The ascent, which takes a reasonable amount of time, stretched into hours as the steady stream of vehicles crawled upwards to their respective hotels.

They sent this video via WhatsApp. All credit goes to the owner of this video.

Among this influx, an unfortunate pattern of unruly behaviour emerged. Reports emerged of tourists sitting atop car rooftops, revelling in open vans and consuming alcohol, showing little regard for the environment. Tourists littered the roadsides with empty cans and bottles or threw them into the valleys below, which marred the natural beauty that I know Mount Abu for.

Late at night on August 13, 2023, a concerning incident occurred at a significant intersection involving a tourist vehicle playing loud music. The presence of a passenger atop the car led to an impromptu street dance that caused a half-hour disturbance. It took the intervention of law enforcement to restore order and allow traffic to flow again.

The events raised important questions about the management of tourism in Mount Abu. Is there a place for such unbridled behaviour in a destination revered for its spiritual and natural allure? Could the local tourism administration have been more practical in curbing such disturbances before they escalated? The time seems ripe to explore avenues for creating selected spaces, such as discotheques, where the spirited energy of tourists can find expression without causing chaos.

As we reflect on these incidents, I invite my readers to share their insights and suggestions. How can Mount Abu strike a delicate balance between providing an avenue for tourists to unwind while upholding the tranquillity and charm that define the destination? Your perspectives are invaluable as we navigate the path ahead for this enchanting hill station.

The impromptu street dance caused a half-hour disturbance.

To see this video, click on the video link.

Abu Times Portal 

Interesting Observation for this prolonged weekend

12 Aug - Saturday

13 Aug - Sunday

14 Aug - Medical leave/Casual leave/French leave

15 Aub - Independence Day (Holiday)

India is to celebrate its 77th Independence Day.

Let's take a pledge to protect the peace and unity of our Great Nation,

Happy Independence Day!

Mount Abu Monsoon Madness: A Changing Climate Tale

Mount Abu has it all, from breathtaking beauty to catastrophic events.

The first landslide for this season 28 July 2023

Streams surged fiercely last night in Abu, highlighting the region's spectacular beauty during the heavy rain. However, this lovely scene also underscores the troubling fact of changing climate scenarios, which have resulted in unusual and harsh monsoon seasons. This blog post discusses how recent weather in Abu affected the local population and had larger consequences. The captivating views of The Rainy Night Spectacle fascinated Abuites, who recorded and shared them on several social media sites. The gushing streams and heavy rains reminded everyone of the need to appreciate nature's beauty while recognising the environment's vulnerability to climate change. (The volume of rain from midnight to 6 am was 142mm, i.e. almost 6 inches)

The Impact of Climate Change:

The climate in Abu has changed dramatically during the last decade. Extreme monsoon seasons are becoming more common, causing catastrophic occurrences, such as flooding and droughts in formerly untouched areas. The latest cyclonic storm, followed by continued high rains throughout July, wrought havoc in Rajasthan, causing major floods and property and animal losses.

The recent monsoons in Abu serve as a vivid reminder of the critical issue of climate change. While we appreciate the beauty of rainy evenings, we must equally acknowledge the difficulties they bring. We can safeguard our environment, homes, and livelihoods by recognising and addressing these changes, guaranteeing a sustainable future for future generations. It's time to take action, raise awareness, and work together to counteract the negative consequences of climate change in Abu and beyond.

Scary Encounter: it highlighted the implications of climate change today, as Abu had its first landslip on the main road, only a few kilometres before the Hunaman temple. The episode underscores the increasing dangers of natural disasters in areas prone to excessive rainfall and soil erosion.

Large Mudslide Mt Abu WhatsApp Video per kind favour my niece Crescentia 

The heavy rain has impacted daily life across Abu, leading to even St. Mary's High School declaring a holiday. With the rushing floods, the Paddy Bridge, the sole vehicular access point to the school, was overflowing and unusable. Such interruptions to daily life highlight infrastructure's fragility and the need for improved planning in the face of shifting weather patterns.

Paddy's Bridge overflowing WhatsApp Video per kind favour Manoj St. Mary's staff.

The recent monsoons in Abu serve as a vivid reminder of the critical issue of climate change. While we appreciate the beauty of rainy evenings, we must equally acknowledge the difficulties they bring. We can safeguard our environment, homes, and livelihoods by recognising and addressing these changes. 

The streams in full spate WhatsApp Video per kind favour my niece Crescentia.

For more news on Mount Abu, click the link below.

Mount Abu 28 July 2023.