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CM directs for physical audit of water harvesting structures
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that proper physical audit of the water harvesting structures, check dams, canals, water tanks and other similar works being undertaken by various departments would be done, and the departments would have to maintain full record of the structures and the works undertaken.
He was presiding over the third meeting of Himachal Pradesh Water Management Board here, today.
He said water would be the scarce commodity in coming times and every drop of water should be saved . He stressed upon the durability of the tanks and said that different departments were constructing the water harvesting structures which leads to overlapping of works and inefficient use of resources.
He said it had been observed that many water harvesting structures were lying ideal with little or no water in them and the departments should not consider the construction of structures as their achievements but it had to be ensured that they were long lasting and benefiting the population for irrigational and other purposes.
He said that many rivers and rivulets of the State were usually in spate during monsoons and remain dry or with little water during winters and summers. It was during the monsoons that the water should be stored and conserved along the bank of the rivulets and nullahas for meeting the requirements in summers.
The Chief Minister said that sensing the economic benefits of such schemes, the people would be themselves responsible for maintaining the same and undertaking minor repairs works.
“I want end results and benefits to be accrued to the people and durable assets to be created” said the Chief Minister. There should also be proper de-silting of the water tanks to enhance their storage capacity after every monsoon season, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the aim of the Government was to provide better drinking water and irrigational facilities to the people and besides that every check dam structure should be numbered and complete in all respects so that we could identify them through numbers.
He said that roof top rainwater harvesting structures should be made compulsory in rural areas and field of activities of various departments be demarcated for effective implementation of water resources development, conservation initiatives and watershed development followed by physical inspections.
He suggested that it should be mandatory to construct field channels from the main canal for irrigating the land. It had been observed that major projects like Shah-Nehar had been completed but the feeding channels connecting fields had not been constructed, thus depriving people of irrigational facilities.
“Every project to be constructed in future must have feed canals and there should be signage’s containing full particulars of the scheme with name of the engineers involved, construction cost, year of starting and completion” he said.
Citing example of Kinnaur district where numerous water tanks and harvesting structures had been constructed the Chief Minister said that focus must be on providing re-used and pure treated water to the people for irrigational and domestic purpose on the analogy of developed countries.
He said that our traditional water bodies needs to be preserved and every new project or new scheme should begin with taking into consideration all aspects. There were number of schemes of Government of India and they should be implemented with sense of responsibility and accountability and not merely for achieving the targets and numbers.He suggested that more hand-pumps should be installed in water scarcity areas and proper survey of the underground water availability should be done before installing the same.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Chief Secretary P. Mitra, senior officers and non- official members were also present on the occasion amongst others.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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