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No more water-shortage in hotels of Shimla, Govt and hoteliers assure tourists
Shimla: As the popular tourist destination Shimla recovers from acute water-scarcity that had derailed the daily life of the people, the tourism activity is also gaining normalcy. The hoteliers have assured that the tourists won’t face anymore inconvenience related to water-shortage.
At least hotels will ensure that tourists are not put to any inconvenience,
Sanjay Sood, the President of the Restaurant & Hotels Association, North India, said when Himachal Watcher asked him regarding the probability of a shortage during rest of the peak tourist season.
In the last review meeting, the government had informed that the water supply to the city had reached upto 37 Million Liters per day (MLD) that had earlier dropped below 20 MLD. The government had also assured that the situation was under control now.
The inflow of tourists did take a hit due to water shortage in the capital city, but things are in better shape now. There should be no apprehensions in visiting the city, as the Guest Service is our prime concern,
Sanjay further added.
The hoteliers have assured that the state government has made adequate arrangements and water supply is being ensured to hotels in order to facilitate tourists.
The hotel industry in Shimla expressed their gratefulness towards the Acting Chief Justice, Sanjay Karol, for his intervention in resolving the issue and ensuring proper water supply and distribution.
The hoteliers have also urged the media to highlight the normalcy in water supply through its reports so that tourism could regain momentum in the state.
The Association would also make efforts to create awareness and encourage the hoteliers in Himachal to adopt water conservation methods like rainwater harvesting.
I use rain-harvesting in my hotel at Chaura Maidan in Shimla. We use the harvested water for gardening and toilets,
Sanjay said.
During the past 10-15 days, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh faced its worst water crisis and witnessed its negative consequences as well. The chaos for drinking water hit the people hard. The widespread and daily protests in various Wards of the Shimla Municipal Corporation had begun to take a hostile form.
The Shimla Police has booked over 400 protestors during the crisis. Clashes between the police and protesters were also reported.
For rest of the World, the historic town became a case study in water scarcity caused by drying up of natural resources and poor management. The scarcity made headlines in International media as well.
At the same time, the economy of the town also took a hit as occupancy rate had dropped by almost 50 percent. The hoteliers had to cancel bookings and sell bottled water to their guests. As an embarrassment for the historic town, the mismanagement of water supply and distribution had compelled hoteliers to supply water to guests in buckets.
The public was circulating messages asking tourists to give a break to the town until the water scarcity ends. It was the worst nightmare for the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department as well as the hospitality industry. This message is still in circulation.
However, now the Government and the hoteliers are expecting to regain the lost momentum so that remaining peak season could witness growth in tourist footfall.
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.