Hotels & Accommodations
Homes, Hotels, Trees, Cars Swept Away: Before-After Images Show Flashflood Havoc In Uttarkashi | India News
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Four people were killed and at least 130, who were initially feared trapped, have been rescued in Dharali, a key stopover to Gangotri housing many hotels, restaurants and homestays
In this combo of two images, the before after view of an inhabitated area damaged in a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst at Dharali, in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on August 5. (Image: PTI)
Massive flashfloods — most likely triggered by a cloudburst — in the quaint Himalayan village of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, swept away homes, hotels, cars, and trees leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Four people were killed and at least 130, who were initially feared trapped, have been rescued in the village that is a key stopover on the route to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganges, and also houses many hotels, restaurants and homestays. Before-after images of the village show the scale of devastation.
According to officials, at least half the village has been buried under fast-flowing mudslide of slush, rubble and water. They said rescue and relief teams have been battling the elements in the ecologically fragile heights to contain the damage.
Contiguous buildings, including three and four-storey houses, fell like a pack of cards as the surging waters washed over them. The devastating flashflood came in the wake of a cloudburst somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river.
State disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said Dharali was not the only hit. The raging waters flowed down two different sides of the same hill, one towards Dharali and the other towards the village of Sukki, he said.
Landslides have blocked 163 roads, including five national highways, seven state highways and two border roads across the state, further impeding rescue and preventing personnel from getting to the far-flung area, about 140 km from the state capital Dehradun and usually a five-hour drive.
Uttarakhand principal secretary RK Sudhanshu said 40 to 50 buildings have been damaged. Local residents said a large portion of the Dharali market was washed away.
Rajesh Panwar, an eyewitness to the horror of nature’s relentless fury, told PTI that about 20 to 25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away. There was widespread panic in the neighbouring villages following the flashflood.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said no stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people. “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Dhami and ordered the dispatch of seven rescue teams to assist the affected people. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre and the state government are working in tandem, taking all possible measures to save precious lives.
Dhami, who was in Andhra Pradesh, cancelled his trip to return to Dehradun. He said he is constantly in touch with senior officials and the situation is being closely monitored.
“The news of heavy losses due to cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) area is extremely sad and painful. SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other related teams are engaged on war footing in relief and rescue operations,” he said in a post on X.
(With PTI inputs)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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Hotels & Accommodations
This Solo Traveller’s Japan Vacation Was Shattered By Terrifying Hotel Encounter | Viral News
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Solo traveller Natalie from Thailand faced a terrifying incident in a Japanese hotel when she found a man hiding under her bed
The incident, caught neither on CCTV nor by hotel staff, left Natalie shaken. (Source: Instagram/@natalisi_taksisi)
The solo travel trend is growing among young women worldwide, but so are stories that remind us why vigilance is still necessary. A disturbing incident shared by a solo traveler named Natalie has sparked fresh concern about women’s safety while traveling alone, especially when staying in hotels.
According to a report by The Sun, Natalie, originally from Thailand, had travelled to Japan in March for a solo vacation. Her trip was going smoothly, until she checked into a hotel one evening. What happened next left her traumatised and has made it difficult for her to sleep in any hotel room ever since.
Natalie arrived at the hotel around 7:30 pm and headed straight to her room to rest. But just moments after lying on the bed, she noticed an odd, musty smell. Initially assuming it was coming from the sheets, she followed her instincts and began inspecting the room. The smell seemed to be emanating from under the bed, and what she discovered sent chills down her spine.
Hiding underneath was a man.
As soon as she screamed, the man scrambled out from under the bed and fled from the room, visibly panicked. The incident, caught neither on CCTV nor by hotel staff, left Natalie shaken. The hotel, she later found out, had no surveillance cameras in the area. The only proof of the intruder’s presence was a charger and power bank he left behind.
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Natalie immediately contacted hotel management and local police. But with no camera footage and little evidence beyond the abandoned items, it’s unclear whether the man was ever identified or caught.
Terrified, Natalie checked out of the hotel immediately and booked herself into another accommodation. The experience left a lasting scar.
Speaking to The Guardian, she revealed that since the incident, she’s never felt fully safe while staying in hotels. She reportedly requested emotional compensation from the hotel but was turned down on the grounds of company policy.
Following the traumatic encounter, Natalie posted about the ordeal on Instagram, warning other solo female travellers to be extra cautious. She now encourages women to thoroughly inspect their rooms before settling in – check under the bed, behind mirrors, inside closets, and even for hidden cameras.
The incident has reignited conversations around hotel safety and the need for surveillance, especially in budget accommodations that may not have the same security standards as luxury stays.
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Hotels & Accommodations
ITC Hotels Limited inks an agreement for its second Fortune hotel in Lucknow
Delhi, 6 August 2025: ITC Hotels Limited continues to expand its presence in North India with a new agreement for a hotel in Lucknow under its Fortune Hotels portfolio. With this signing, ITC Hotels Ltd. now has a presence of 7 properties in Uttar Pradesh, with six more hotels in the pipeline.
Situated on the Lucknow-Kanpur Road, the upcoming hotel will provide seamless access to both cities. It is being developed to meet the growing demand for premium accommodations in the region, fuelled by business travel, pilgrimage tourism, MICE, and destination weddings in the city.
Sharing insights on the signing, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said, “Lucknow is a city that beautifully blends tradition with modernity. Its infrastructural growth, flourishing corporate sector, and cultural richness make it a very significant market for Fortune Hotels. I am sure it will emerge as a big asset to the state, which is experiencing high growth in domestic tourism.”
Commenting on the signing, Indermohan Singh, Chairman – M/s CEM Hospitality, said, “From acquiring land for developing hotels and banquets to creating memorable hospitality facilities, we keep a keen eye on the region for such ventures. Fortune Select Lucknow is one of our very important projects. Lucknow’s growth as a potential business and cultural hub has inspired our investment decision. Collaborating with Fortune Hotels was a natural choice given the brand’s strong positioning, operational excellence, and deep understanding of Indian travellers.”
Fortune Select Lucknow will feature 93 modern well-appointed rooms and a variety of culinary experiences including a multi-cuisine restaurant, a rooftop outlet with panoramic views of the city, and a chic bar. An offering of multiple banquet spaces, rejuvenating wellness facilities include a swimming pool, gym, and a restful spa, making it a compelling destination for a spectrum of travellers and city residents alike.
Slated to open in 2026, the hotel promises to offer an elevated experience to its guests by way of thoughtfully designed stays, efficient service, and Fortune Hotels’ signature hospitality. In addition to the upcoming Fortune Select, Fortune Hotels currently operates Fortune Park BBD in Lucknow, located on Rana Pratap Marg. It also has an upcoming property in Ayodhya, along with operational hotels in Aligarh, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
About Fortune Park Hotels Ltd
Fortune Park Hotels Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Hotels Limited and is India’s leading chain of first-class, full-service business and leisure hotels, with 79 signed alliances an over 6000 rooms, across 65 cities including a resort in Nepal.
Fortune Hotels’ brand philosophy is driven by its objective to provide contemporary accommodation to business and leisure travellers through its wide range of accommodation in pertinent destinations, with emphasis on personalized service at great value. Convenient locations, excellence of cuisine, efficient service and competitive pricing have made the Fortune Hotels chain popular amongst discerning travellers. Fortune, a member of ITC Hotels’ Group has a number of clearly defined sub-brands bringing instant recall, so that guests can easily match their requirements with the chain’s offers. The sub-brands under which the hotels are being operated by the chain are Fortune Select, Fortune Park, Fortune Inn, and Fortune Resort.
For more information, visit: itchotels.com/fortunehotels
Hotels & Accommodations
Dubai Rosewood Hotel & Residences To Open By 2029, Featuring Private Garden Villas, Spa & More
Dubai is home to several beautiful hotels. These properties include everything from luxurious resorts to something more affordable. Offering plenty of options to the people in the emirate, a new name will soon be added to its portfolio of hotels. We are talking about the fact that Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will be making its much-awaited debut in Dubai. Here’s all you need to know about the Rosewood Dubai and Rosewood Residences Dubai.
Rosewood Dubai And Rosewood Residences Dubai To Open By 2029
Once Rosewood Dubai and Rosewood Residences Dubai open, it will be the first hotel and branded residences by Rosewood in the UAE. Located on the shores of the Peninsula Dubai, this would be a prestigious new waterfront destination. This is going to be a 195-key ultra-luxury hotel, complete with world-class dining, wellness facilities, private garden villas, and curated cultural programming.
More About The Residential Tower
Right next to the hotel will be the residential tower that will offer 63 refined residences. This would also include five exclusive beachfront villas that would offer dedicated lifestyle amenities. Spanning 6,40,104 ft.², which is about 9.95 hectares, the project is owned by Bright Star along with H&H.
Truly creating a transformative experience, Rosewood Dubai’s 63 refined residences, along with five beachfront villas would offer a slew of tailored amenities. From a 24-hour concierge, spa and movement studio to a padel court, library, and private cinema, there is truly going to be a range of luxurious amenities for people to offer them an unparalleled experience.
Also Read: Egypt: Tantalise Your Tastebuds With Nobu North Coast That Brings Japanese Cuisine To The Region
A World-Renowned Hospitality In Dubai
Creating a holistic experience for the people is a major milestone for the brand. After all, it introduces an elevated lifestyle experience! Yes, this would blend the world-renowned hospitality of Rosewood with its collection of high-end residences. Not just a curated stay for luxurious living, the hotel would also offer something special for the younger guests. We are talking about the Explorers Club that would nurture both play and learning together.
Doesn’t it all sound absolutely wonderful? Well, the hotel is scheduled to open in 2029, and one can expect that this hotel’s debut in Dubai by the brand will bring its stellar services.
Cover Image Courtesy: rosewoodhotels.com
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First Published: August 06, 2025 1:01 PM
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