Five Indian Army soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer, lost their lives after a T-72 tank carrying them was swept away by flash floods in Ladakh while crossing the Shyok River. Rescue efforts are underway, with one soldier rescued, while the search for four others continues.
Five Indian Army soldiers are feared drowned after their T-72 tank was swept away by flash floods while crossing a river near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. The incident occurred during a tank exercise in the Daulat Beg Oldie area, with a rescue operation underway.
Ladakh has achieved full functional literacy under the ULLAS program, achieving over 97% literacy. This milestone marks a significant step towards empowering Ladakh’s citizens through foundational literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills. The achievement was announced by Lieutenant Governor Dr BD Mishra, highlighting the region’s dedication to education and its citizens’ commitment to learning.
On Monday morning, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 struck the Union Territory of Ladakh, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The epicenter of the quake was located at Latitude 35.93 N and Longitude 73.95 E, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 20, 2024, marking the end of voting in Maharashtra and the last phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. A total of 49 constituencies from eight states and Union Territories will go to the polls, including 13 constituencies in Maharashtra, one constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, and one constituency in Ladakh.
The rare and breathtaking aurora borealis, also known as the Northern and Southern Lights, graced the skies of India’s Ladakh region on May 11, 2023, captured on camera for the first time by the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO). Despite being a rare occurrence in India, astronomers witnessed a remarkable red glow in the northwest horizon of the sky, visible from 1 am on Saturday until dawn.
The aurora borealis, a mesmerizing natural phenomenon, has made a rare appearance in the Indian skies above Ladakh’s Hanle region, defying its typical visibility in high-latitude Arctic and Antarctic regions. This captivating display, also known as the Northern Lights, occurred on May 11 at around 1 a.m., with a distinctive reddish arc emerging at 34-36°N. This occurrence coincides with a severe (G4) Geomagnetic storm, as classified by NOAA’s scale, making this an extraordinary event for mid-latitudes. Additionally, the aurora borealis has graced the night skies of Europe and China, with sightings reported in countries such as Russia, Germany, and Tasmania.
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Tashi Gyalson as its candidate for the solitary Lok Sabha seat in Ladakh, sitting MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that he would consult with his supporters before deciding on his future course of action. Namgyal, who has been a vocal supporter of the BJP in the region, questioned the party’s decision and highlighted his contributions to the development of Ladakh during his tenure. He cited the restoration of BJP’s glory in the region and his tireless efforts for its progress. Namgyal’s supporters gathered around him upon his arrival at Leh airport, expressing their support and sentiments. The announcement of Gyalson’s candidature has raised questions about the BJP’s ability to retain the seat amidst growing discontent over the Centre’s failure to grant protection under the sixth schedule and statehood to Ladakh.
Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) is all set to commence a new drilling initiative in June for India’s first geothermal venture in Ladakh. The project aims to establish a sustainable source for emission-free electricity, space heating, and irrigation in challenging landscapes. If the project progresses smoothly, a power plant with a minimum capacity of 1 MW will be established by the following year. ONGC is receiving guidance from consultants based in Iceland, a nation that relies on geothermal energy for two-thirds of its primary energy needs.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has opened the Leh-Manali highway, restoring road connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. The highway remained closed for five months due to heavy snowfall during winter. The snow clearance operation was executed by 111 RCC/753 BRTF under Project Himank in Ladakh and 70 RCC/38 BRTF under Project Deepak in Himachal Pradesh. The teams worked in challenging conditions, battling snow storms and treacherous weather conditions to clear the national highway and negotiate four important passes. The highway was declared open for traffic on Tuesday after a golden handshake ceremony at Sarchu on the inter-project boundary.
