Mount Abu ravaged yet again by unseasonal weather storm.

 Mount Abu Faces Nature's Wrath: Unseasonal Thunderstorm Astounds Residents.

Greetings from Mount Abu The Abode of Gods.

 

Mount Abu, the peaceful hill station in the Aravalli Range, has suffered an unexpected change in its weather pattern. Despite India's Meteorological Department's warnings of unusual weather on Monday and Tuesday owing to a western disturbance, the storm arrived a day earlier, taking locals and visitors by surprise. The thunderstorm, which was accompanied by torrential rain, lightning, and howling winds, caused a terrifying experience mainly for those ascending the hills.

The day started off brightly enough, with the sky progressively darkening at about 10 a.m. What happened next, however, was anything from average. Reports of heavy rain began to arrive from Abu Road, and by 5 p.m., the storm's crescendo had reached its apex. Last night's thunderstorm was a striking reminder of nature's unexpected might, as the winds howled and lightning lit the gloomy sky.

Impact on Daily Life: As the storm raged, the electric department battled to keep up. Power failures reduced the town into darkness, forcing inhabitants to battle the cold by candlelight. The electric department expected to restore normalcy the next day, leaving Abuites to deal with the inconvenience. In The storm's aftermath, Mount Abu got 45 mm of rain. The trickling streams resumed to flow again, revitalising the area. Despite the difficulties encountered by the people, nature's perseverance was obvious, and the mist-covered hills continued to lure travellers like moths to a flame.

Person-to-Person Encounters with Nature's Fury:

One individual related a personal experience of seeing lightning strike twice in the vicinity. The first attack happened along the main road, near the Neelkanth temple, while the second happened over a residence, knocking off dish antennas and destroying electronic equipment. Such intimate encounters serve as a harsh reminder of nature's sheer force.

Rajasthan's Climate Changes:

This year has seen irregular climatic variations in Mount Abu and most of Rajasthan, culminating in the region's first-ever cyclonic storm. Unpredictable weather patterns have created difficulties for inhabitants while stressing the significance of adjusting to a changing environment.

 Mount Abu's recent brush with unusual weather demonstrates the unpredictability of our environment. As we face the difficulties of climate change, it is critical that we recognise and respect nature's powers while also finding methods to cohabit happily with the surrounding environment. The recent thunderstorm may have briefly disturbed everyday life, but it also provided a look into the courage and beauty that distinguish Mount Abu and its people.

Mount Abu's first-ever CYCLONIC STORM

Last Night Mount Abu faced its first coldest night this season, and temperatures will keep dropping right up to Jan's end.

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 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