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Coronavirus: HP Govt Invokes National Disaster Management Act, Read All Directions Issued for Shimla
Shimla- So far, eight suspected cases have been reported in Himachal Pradesh, however, all of them have tested negetive, the Chief Minister Jairam Thakur today informed.
However, in wake of the havoc that coronavirus pandemic has wrecked across the globe, Himachal Pradesh Government has invoked the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, (DM, Act.). Under this act, the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Amit Kashyap, under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, issued several directions as precautionary measure against transmission of COVID-19, in Shimla District (HP).
Now, no Langers and Bhandaras will be held in the jurisdiction of the district till 31st March, 2020.
Dhabas, bars, food courts, restaurants, hotels, etc., have been directed to maintain proper cleanliness in their premises and provide adequate facilities for sanitizing to all the visitors/customers. The staff engaged in cooking and serving the food will have to use masks and follow guidelines for proper health hygiene as prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI
No Conferences, events, rallies, dharnas, protests, processions etc., will be organised within the territorial limits of District Shimla till 31st March, 2020.
No massage centres, spas, swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium etc. will operate in the district till 31st March, 2020.
The MD, HRTC, Director Transport and MD, HPTDC have been directed to ensure that all the public and private buses and taxis operating in the District are sanitised with the prescribed disinfectants at regular intervals as prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI.
The Chief Executive Officer, HPBSM&DA, will have to ensure proper cleanliness and facilities for sanitization at all the bus stands in the district. All these officers will have to ensure and organise necessary briefings and sensitisation of the drivers, conductors and cleaners, through their staff and necessary advisory will be displayed at the Bus Stands and inside the Buses and taxis.
Director, Urban Development and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Shimla will have to ensure that public places particularly the bus/taxi, sabzi mandis, railway stations, marked areas etc. in the District will be sanitized with the prescribed disinfectant. They have been directed to ensure and organise necessary briefings and sensitisation of their staff. The sweepers/sanitary staff should be provided the PPEs, Gloves, Caps, Masks, Boots etc. to be used by them while working. Garbage would be collected from the households on day to day basis and the same would be disposed of in a proper manner.
The Commissioner, MC Shimla, have been asked to remove all unauthorized fruits/vegetables vendors and rehri walas to avoid congestion on the roads and streets so as to enable pedestrians to have safe distance between each other.
Further, the Director, Tourism, have been directed to ensure that proper precautionary measures are taken in all the hotels, home stay units and other tourism units including proper cleanliness and availability of sanitizers.
All the tourists coming from abroad will have to furnish their information/particulars complete in all respects on the prescribed self-declaration formats, already made available at the hotels, home stay units etc. The details will have to be conveyed to the concerned medical authorities immediately.
All the heads of educational institutions including HPU and other Private Universities will have to ensure to furnish details of all the foreign students, as well as, Indian students having visited foreign countries, who have returned during last one month, to the Chief Medical Officer, Shimla and District Surveillance Officer Shimla.
The Director, Health Services has been directed to take all necessary steps regarding training of health officials /surveillance personnel and providing necessary facilities /equipments /medicines etc. for prevention and control of COVID-19, well in time.
Further, Director, Shimla Airport has been directed to provide all necessary co-ordination and support to the health official’s team deployed at the airport for the purpose of screening of passengers de-boarding at the Airport. Director, Shimla Airport, will have to ensure cleaning of entire airport premises with the prescribed disinfectant at such regular intervals
It has been made mandatory for all the banks to ensure proper cleanliness and availability of adequate sanitizers in the Banks for the customers. The banks have been asked to sanitize ATMs as well.
The Superintendent of Police, Shimla, has been directed to ensure that large congregations are not allowed to gather, in a closed group, at any place within the jurisdiction of District Shimla except at bus stands, railway stations, and airport, where passengers are boarding and de-boarding for their respective destination.
All the shopkeepers, wholesalers, restaurant owners, fruit/ vegetables vendors have been directed to take measures for proper cleanliness in and around their shops/premises. They will have to ensure that buyers are allowed to stay inside the shops as per the space available, without any congestion. The Beopar Mandals are also asked to take steps to educate them and implement the directions being given for maintaining cleanliness.
Further, the public at large has also been informed that section 51 of the Disaster Management Act has provisions for penalties in case a person obstructs any officer or employee in discharge of his duties or refuses to comply with any direction given under this Act. Any violation of the above directions will, therefore, lead to prosecution under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the notification said.
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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