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Medicine Delivered at Door-Step to Over 950 Patients in Remote Areas of State Through Helpline: HP Govt
Shimla-Himachal Pradesh Government on Thursday claimed that its Helpline service started to deliver prescribed medicines during the lockdown to patients has benefited several people.
Curfew was imposed in Himachal Pradesh from 24th March 2020 in the wake of COVID-19. According to the Government, although some relaxations were given to chemists during curfew, still the general public and patients were facing difficulties in procuring the medicines. The patients are facing various problems like the timing of the opening of chemist shops is limited, medicines are not available with local chemists, some medicines are of specialized nature and lack of mode of transportation, the Government said.
On 4th April 2020, the State Government has started a helpline for Himachal with two landline numbers 0177-2626076 and 0177-2626077 and toll-free number 1070. Any person who needs medicine can place his request on these numbers and medicines would be made available at chemist shop nearer to his home where he can make payments after getting the medicines.
Till date, as many as 1059 requests have been received on this helpline and more than 90 per cent of them have been delivered and the remaining are under process.
So far, more than 948 patients have benefited. Drugs inspectors acted as a bridge between the patients and chemists and have ensured the delivery of medicines to needy patients during the curfew.
These persons included patients with kidney transplants, heart surgeries, psychiatric patients and those in need of anti-cancer medicines in remote areas of the State. The Government claimed that these patients are now being provided medicines at their doorsteps by procuring them from Chandigarh, Dehradun and other parts of the region.
The medicines were not only made available to patients from local chemists but were also made available from outside the state and were even delivered in the remotest areas of Himachal Pradesh like Kalpa, Sangla, Pooh and Nichar in Kinnaur district, Nirmand and Anni in Kullu district, Neogal Sari and Nerwa in Shimla district.
The Government claimed that despite the difficult geographical conditions of Chamba district, all the essential medicines like anticancer, antiepileptic, antipsychotic and antihypertensive have been arranged from Pathankot, Jassur, Tanda and Chandigarh etc. were successfully delivered to many needy at their home or nearest possible place in the remote areas like Tissa (Churah area), Bharmour and Pangi. Although maximum requests in Chamba were from remote areas yet medicines are being provided to them without any failure.
Citing some examples, the Government said, Mohan, a resident of village Kullah, Post Office Jarwa of Sirmour district as one of the beneficiaries who was in urgent need of medicines of the kidney transplant but wasn’t able to access them due to the curfew imposed in the State and nation-wide lockdown in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Medicines are delivered to patient Bimla of village Malang PO Tandi of Lahaul valley and Bij Ram of Pangi via air and road respectively.
These patients, the Government said, have expressed their gratitude for this service.
The Government claimed that about 250 Himachali students stranded in Goa were also provided medical assistance. As many as 575 vendors have been authorized for home delivery of medicines in the State. These include 20 vendors in Bilaspur, nine in Chamba, 32 in Hamirpur, 44 in Kangra, 19 in Kullu, one in Lahaul-Spiti, 93 in Mandi, 125 in Shimla, 165 in Sirmour, 40 in Solan and 23 in Una district.
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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