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Shimla Mayor Left Embarrassed as District Admin Breaks into Her Office for Eviction, Makes it Prestige Issue
Shimla-Mayor of Shimla town, Kusum Sadrate, faced an embarrassment after a team of district administration broke into her office located at the Deputy Commissioner Office building and evicted it in her absence. The Mayor was in Pachhad to campaign for the candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party. Now, the Mayor has made it a prestige issue. The Mayor said she would meet the Chief Minister, file a case and demand transfer of the DC, Amit Kashyap.
The action of district administration created a stir among the SMC staff and ward councillors.
More embarrassing was the fact that ruling BJP’s own Councillors did not show any resistance or protest. Instead, they watched it like mute spectators. On her return, the Mayor held a meeting with its councillors over the issue. However, only half-a-dozen BJP Councillors attended this meeting. This silence of BJP’s own Councillor is being seen as the result of friction between the Mayor and Councillors.
The action was even condemned by former Mayor, Sanjay Chauhan, and Councillors of Congress. They termed treating the first citizen of Shimla in such a disgraceful manner as unfortunate.
It’s a clear violation of rights given to Municipal Corporation and its bodies through 74th Amendment in the constitution. There is a provision of a three-tier system of governance and MC, elected democratically by the people, is also a part of it. The attitude towards such a constitutional body raises serious questions over the working of the government in a democratic system, Chauhan said. He has demanded action against the officials responsible for such disgraceful action. He also brought up the issue of ownership of the Town Hall, which used to be the office SMC for decades. He said the government has already deprived the SMC of its own property.
Congress also took a jibe and said that the Mayor’s own government has little or no respect for her.
The team that was formed by the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, said the action came after the Mayor and Deputy Mayor did not evict the offices despite notices served to them on October 18, 2019. It’s pertinent to mention that the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor have already been given offices in the Town Hall, which was renovated recently. Some internal sources from the SMC, on the condition of anonymity, said the Mayor wanted to keep both offices, which invited such action from the district administration.
On Saturday morning, the team found that the office of the Mayor was locked. The team broke into the office along with some labourers and removed the belongings and shifted them to a store. Later, the team replaced the lock.
The officials of the Shimla MC said that the team did not ask them even once to hand over the keys to the office and instead preferred to break in without any information.
The SMC official also alleged that they had replied to the notice served by the district administration on Friday in which it was mentioned that the Mayor is out of town and would return after a couple of days. In this letter, it was replied that the office would be evicted as soon as the Mayor arrives in Shimla. However, the SMC said, officials at the DC office declined to receive this letter containing a reply and asked to send it through the post.
The Mayor questioned the need to take such a step. She asked whether there was some kind of emergency due to which the district administration could not wait for a couple of days.
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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