Mount Abu Battles to Manage Independence Day Tourist Influx

 Finding a Balance to appease and control 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 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.

“The Flaming Eye in the Shrouded Sky” Mount Abu

The flaming eye amidst the damp and mist-laden evening sky. 

The Flaming eye in the sky.

Today, I witnessed an extraordinary sight - the flaming eye amidst the damp and mist-laden evening sky. Despite the mist from the monsoon season, the celestial wonder still shines and casts a surreal glow over the town.

Tourists are undeterred by the dismal weather and come in droves to this hill station to experience the mystical ambience and seek divine connections. Veiled in the mysterious clouds, Mount Abu transforms into a sanctuary, elevating visitors to a state of blissful frenzy, as if they are truly on cloud nine.

For the Abuites, accustomed to the prolonged monsoon, the novelty of this spectacle gradually fades, giving way to a yearning for sunnier days. Clothes stubbornly refuse to dry in the relentless dampness, while moss and mildew seem to assert their supremacy, keeping hard-working stay-at-home parent on constant alert, lest their homes succumb to the mouldy, damp smell that clings to every corner.

Beyond the moisture-laden walls, creatures of all kinds emerge from their hiding places, brazenly invading households, making life a never-ending battle against unwelcome intruders, leaving the residents wearied by the continuous vigil.

However, amidst these challenges, the determined human spirit prevails. The locals, embracing their toughness, find solace in the companionship that blossoms during the monsoon months. Laughter echoes through the mist, and the rich tapestry of mythical tales and legendary folklore passed down from generation to generation strengthens the bond within the community.

As the blazing eye continues to throw its ominous glow, Abuites find solace in sharing their rainy-season stories. Despite the discomforts and dampness, they recognise Mount Abu's monsoon appeal, which draws everyone into its mystical embrace.

Mount Abu's overcast evenings morph into a narrative of resolution and brotherhood, with the unrelenting rain feeding the lush flora and the blazing eye periodically peering over the people, making every second of the monsoon season anxiously awaited and loved.

Misty morning at Mount Abu WhatsApp Video Per kind of favour of my niece Crescentia 

A update on Mount Abu (4 June 2015)

An unfortunate accident by a drunken driver.

A car from Gujarat a GJ 30 9620 at around 2:45 pm shot off the road and flew into the gutter near the Neel Kant temple. Apparently, the driver and a co-passenger were two sheets in the wind. Fortunately for all the passengers in the car, no one received major injuries. A crowd of Abuites were on the scene within minutes and were of great assistance. The crowd of Abuites immediately pulled the passengers out of the car and provided them with first aid. The locals gathered there and helped put the vehicle, which had turned turtle, back on its wheels. Here are a few snaps of the mishap that took place today.

A tourist car overshot and landed in the stream

The tourist car which overshot landed in the stream below

A cop overseeing the accident spot

A few of the injured tourists pulled out of the car

Unprecedented Cyclone Biparjoy Devastates Mount Abu

Mount Abu Survives Its First Cyclone as Nature Takes Over

The eye of the cyclone over Mount Abu, from Zoom Earth 

A rare weather phenomenon occurred in Mount Abu, Rajasthan's scenic Aravalli Range. Cyclone Biparjoy made an unexpected impact on this landlocked region on June 16, 2023, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This unexpected cyclonic storm, which is unusual for Mount Abu, astonished both inhabitants and officials. Despite its distance from the shore, torrential rainfall and powerful gusts hit the town, inflicting extensive damage.

The Ordeal Unleashed: When the Biparjoy hit, Mount Abu was unprepared for the devastation that ensued. With high winds and constant rain, the "Abode of Gods" swiftly became a war against nature's fury. Flash floods swamped the town, submerging homes and streets. The strong winds toppled trees and electricity lines, resembling a heavenly bowling match. Essential services were severely affected, with no power, water, or internet access.

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, the Abuites (the dwellers of Mount Abu) experienced fear as the unrelenting storm showed no signs of abating. It cut residents off from essential services, putting them in an unusual scenario. Their tin-sheeted homes provided little shelter against the chilling winds, resulting in substantial damage and loss of property. It carried away countless birds and their young in the roaring floods, adding to the animal toll.

Record rainfall and lingering hardships resulted from Cyclone Biparjoy's influence, which was felt well beyond Mount Abu. The Banas River overflowed its banks on the lowlands, causing significant flooding on Abu Road. During the disaster, Mount Abu received an incredible 8.4 inches of rain. The event lasted five days and left the Abuites without power, water, or internet access. This unforeseen interruption provided a brutal reality check for a populace that is dependent on modern gadgets, requiring them to reconnect with their natural surroundings.

Rebuilding Lives and Restoring Normalcy: Life on Mount Abu gradually resumes its normalcy. Residents are relieved that they have restored essential services. As the community heals from this unique occurrence, it serves as a reminder of nature's dominant force and the Abuites' perseverance in the face of hardship. Although the cyclone caused significant difficulty, it also provided an opportunity for introspection and appreciation of their surroundings.

Conclusion: Cyclone Biparjoy's unanticipated visit to Mount Abu, a first in the area's meteorological history, left the community reeling from the devastation wreaked by strong winds and unrelenting rainfall. The community came together in the face of this unforeseeable disaster, exhibiting resilience and a sense of togetherness. As life returns to normal, the Abuites begin to repair their houses, grateful for the restoration of critical services. We will inscribe this remarkable occurrence in Mount Abu's history as a monument to the locals' fortitude and tenacity.