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In a Letter to CM Jairam, Citizen Points Out Loophole in Processing People Returning to Himachal on State Borders/Barriers
Shimla-A sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh during the last six days can be attributed to the lack of a concrete strategy and haphazard manner in which people stranded in other States were being allowed to enter the State. Himachal Watcher had reported this mismanagement at the Mehatpur-Una border two weeks ago with a warning that the lockdown of 40 days could go in vain if the mass entry of people continued to be allowed without proper management and planning.
After A Strict Curfew/Lokcdown of Over A Month, This Shouldn't be Happening
It would be frustrating for the people of #Himachal and Punjab to face a curfew and lockdown for over a month for nothing. To get a more clear picture of what we are talking about, watch this video showing the scene at the Mehatpur-Una boarder and listen to what people standing in crowded queues said. #HimachalPradesh #COVID19Himachal #HPGovt #Una #Punjab CMO Himachal
Posted by Himachal Watcher on Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Now, a citizen of the State has also reported similar mismanagement at the barriers/checkpoints on boarders and wrote a letter to the Chief Minister with hand-drawn illustration.
A few days ago, along with thousands of others stranded in other States returning to Himachal Pradesh, With her brother, Ojasvi Jagitha had also lined up at the Parwanoo and Shoghi barriers/checkposts. Both of them were stranded in Panchkula for 45 days and followed the lockdown strictly by remaining at home. They were confident that none of them had any chance of getting infected while they were inside their house. But, while going through the process of registering details and screening at barriers, Ojasvi noticed a loophole in the arrangement made which could be avoided easily. Now, after coming in contact with other people at the barrier, both are more scared of getting infected and feeling less safer than it did when locked up inside the house in Panchkula.
Currently, Ojasvi and her brother are under home-quarantine with their family in Shimla as per the guidelines for the people returning from outside the State.
However, Ojasvi wrote a letter to Chief Minister Jairam Thakur to highlight this loophole, which could increase the risk of COVID-19 spread at such barriers on the State borders as well those within the boundary of the State.
She expressed her gratitude towards the State Government for allowing the stranded people to return to their homes. But she also expressed her concern.
“Yesterday, when I came back, I felt really threatened because of the process one has to go through while coming back. Of course, the process of check-in and medical check-up is very necessary for people returning. But there is something wrong with this process which can lead to a horrible situation,”
Ojasvi wrote in the letter.
She pointed out that although all persons returning have furnished all information while applying for E-Pass, the people had to manually register data at barriers again. There is no separation of people coming from red, orange or green zones. Social distancing is hardly being followed.
“While going through the whole procedure of checking, I feel scared. I am scared for myself and my family and my locality as I might have contracted the infection as I came in contact with hundreds of other people who had arrived from different zones at the barrier,”
she wrote.
In her letter, with the help of hand-drawn illustration of Parwanoo and Shoghi barriers, she gave some suggestions to fix this loophole.
First, the people should be shortlisted for medical examination based on the zones they are coming from as this information is already taken while applying for the pass. This way, a person coming from a green and orange zone would not get mixed with those coming from red zones.
The process of clearance at the barriers could be made safer if the manual procedure of writing down details at these barriers again after filling the same details while applying for the pass can be avoided. Through a centralized system, the details of people having passes can be verified digitally. It will not only lessen the risk of contracting infection but also save a lot of time at barriers.
Then, there are the queues for thermal scanning where people come in contact with each other. One infected person could trigger a chain reaction due to these queues. She suggested conducting thermal screening and checking in vehicles so that long queues could be avoided.
While sanitization of vehicles, sanitization tunnels can be installed for the persons going for the medical check-up. She also suggested increasing the number of people being tested, especially those returning from the red zones.
She also pointed out that police personal and healthcare workers didn’t have PPEs, which makes them highly vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.
The Government appeared to have listened to one of this suggestion – testing all persons coming from red zones. Ojasvi hopes that the Chief Minister would also take note of other suggestions she gave in the letter.
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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