Shimla, 25 May : Hamirpur and Solan districts in Himachal Pradesh will continue with the coronavirus lockdown for a month after the current nationwide phase ends on May 31. The district magistrates of Hamirpur and Solan issued orders Monday extending the curfew in their areas up to June 30.

The two orders did not specifically mention the lockdown itself, but its extension is implied. The state-wide curfew in Himachal Pradesh is meant to enforce the lockdown against coronavirus.

As in the rest of the state, the two districts allow several hours of relaxation in the curfew and the lockdown every day. Essential services remain open during the curfew hours as well. This will continue, officials said.

Hamirpur has reported the highest 63 virus cases while 21 people have tested positive for the infection in Solan till now.

Shimla, 1 July 2019 : Two school children and the driver of a bus were killed and five others injured when a state-run bus of a private school rolled down into a gorge in the Himachal Pradesh capital on Monday, police said.

The injured were admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital here.

The students, belonging to Convent of Jesus and Mary Chelsea, were travelling in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus. The accident occurred in Lower Khalini. The dead included bus driver Naresh.

Witnesses told the police that lack of crash barrier and narrow road with haphazard parking of vehicles were mainly responsible for the accident.

Local legislator and Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj who reached the accident spot, faced protest from locals, who were blaming the government’s callousness towards the safety of the passengers and ensuring parking in the area. He left the spot hurriedly.

The mob smashed windscreens of nearly 20 vehicles parked on the road side. The police have arrested two people.

Less than a fortnight ago, 44 passengers lost their lives when a mechanically unfit overcrowded mini bus met with an accident in Kullu district on June 20. Thirty-five other passengers received grievous injuries in that accident.

Himachal, 20 June 2019 : At least 27 passengers died and 25 suffered injuries after the private bus they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge near Banjar area of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh.

The bus was going to Gadagushani area from Banjar when it met with an accident and fell into the drain.

Some reports say that many passengers were sitting atop the bus, which contributed to the high death toll in the accident.

Rescue operations are underway.