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Ex-Mayor claims credit for improved water supply to Shimla city
Corporation had spent over Rs 100 crore for the repair and purchase of pipelines, water treatment plants, pumps, bulk meters, etc before the signing of the MoU.
Shimla: Shimla city has been facing acute shortage of water that intensified during the last couple of years. Shimla required 45 MLD water daily to fulfill the total water requirement. The city was, however, receiving only 28 to 34 MLD daily.
Now as the situation has improved, Bhartiya Janata Party is claiming all credit for it. However, Sanjay Chauhan, former Mayor of Shimla, explains how SMC had worked to fix the problem during his tenure.
A large amount of water was lost due to leakage in the supply pipes. The pipes were not maintained for over a decade. Earlier, the 20 MLD Giri water scheme was supplying only 8 to 12 MLD water as rest of the amount was lost in leakages.
The Gumma station has a capacity of 22 MLD daily but the efficiency had dropped to 12 to 14 MLD due to leakage. The IPH Department did not provide any maintenance since 1982. The supply infrastructure was in tatters.
The IPH Department did not provide any maintenance to the pumping station since 1982, says Chauhan. The supply infrastructure was in tatters. Daily wastage of water worth lakhs of ropes continued unitl mid-2017.
Neither the BJP-led government nor the Congress-led government attended this grieve issue all these years, he says.
However, currently, the total quantity of water supply from five pumping stations has reached 50 MLD daily and the city has received a respite from water shortage.
Currently, Gumma pumping station is running at a capacity of 21.40 MLD, Giri at 19 MLD, Churat at 4.51 MLD, Chaid 0.49 MLD, and Koti-Barandi at 4.97 MLD.
The quality of water has improved during last 18 months. Not even a single case of jaundice was reported during this period, says Chauhan.
Prior to 2016, the responsibility of water supply was entrusted on the Irrigation & Public Health Department of Himachal Pradesh Government.
Since 2007, cases of jaundice had begun to appear due to contamination of the drinking water with sewage. In its report in 2007, the NIV Pune had established that the water lifted from Ashwani Khad was contaminated by sewage.
However, last year, after the deadly jaundice outbreak that had killed over two dozen people and affected thousands of others, the SMC took over the control of the water supply to the city, he said.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Irrigation and Public Health and Urban Development department for setting up of the World Bank aided Rs. 720 crores Greater Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Circle (GSWSSC).
Two strategies were framed to improve the quantity and quality of the water supply.
These included a short-term arrangement of lifting 65 MLD additional water daily from River Sutlej, which will allow 24×7 availability of water to the citizens, says Chauhan.
Secondly, the Corporation attended the problem of leakage by either repairing or replacing old worn out pipelines.
First, the Koti-Barandi scheme was executed in which a pipeline was laid upto Ashwani Khad. The Giri scheme pipelines had started leaking in 2008 – the year it was commissioned. SMC spent four crores to replace about 2 kms long pipeline.
Chauhan claimed the Corporation has already spent over Rs 100 crore for the repair and purchase of pipelines, water treatment plants, pumps, bulk meters, etc before the signing of the MoU.
Further, Chauhan claims that the SMC had questioned the quality of the pipelines and the matter is being investigated by the Vigilance Department.
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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