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Shimla City- Hefty Garbage, Water, Electricity Bills Burden Economically Weak Amid COVID Crisis
Shimla– Nagrik Sabha Shimla on Monday staged a protest near the Office of the Municipal Corporation, Shimla, over hefty bills of electricity, garbage, water, and problems of the businessmen. A delegation of this front approached the Commissioner, Shimla MC, and submitted a memorandum of their demands.
Citizens raised questions over the decisions of the state government to withdraw subsidy worth Rs. 80 crore on ration/food and subsidy worth 100 crores on electricity charges. Questions were raised over the timings of these decisions as a large section of the population, especially the poor and lower-middle-class families, are struggling to survive amid COVID-19 crisis.
The Sabha said that nearly 70 percent of people employed in the private sector in the State have lost their employment partially or completely due to the corona pandemic. Over 5000 workers have lost jobs as hotels, restaurants, and commercial establishments remain closed in the State or not doing well even after the opening of lockdown. In Shimla, 40 percent of employment is linked to the tourism industry, the Sabha said. Closure of the industry has rendered thousands of porters/coolies, cab drivers, guides, those working with tours & travel agencies etc., unemployed. The livelihood of street vendors, hawkers, is hit adversely, the Sabha said.
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It also alleged that while people are struggling to just survive this crisis, they have been slapped with hefty bills by State Government, Shimla MC, and Electricity Board. These people were expecting relief but the government became indifferent to their financial crisis.
To worsen things, these people are getting mentally harassed after receiving warnings of disconnection on non-payment of bills on time.
Citizens also complained that bills which were earlier issued monthly, have been issued collectively for four months and a little time has been given to deposit these bills. The meter reading rate for four months has increased manifold, they said.
Similarly, bills worth thousands of rupees for garbage collection have been issued. Businessmen and commercial building owners are also being asked to deposit property tax amid this financial crisis.
The state government should waive off electricity, garbage, and water bills for March, April, May, and June months, the Sabha demanded. It warned of more protests if no relief was provided to the affected.
Citizens had also been complaining about hefty bills despite the fact that businesses like Paying Guest facilities are closed since March and there is no garbage to collect. But still, PG owners said, they have been slapped with hefty bills.
Further, former Mayor of Shimla, Sanjay Chauhan, targeted the Centre Government and top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He referred to the hellish struggle of migrant laborers to reach their homes and their struggle to remain alive because of the imposition of curfew/lockdown in a haste without any warning.
He also termed the ‘Rs 20 lakh crores relief package’ announced by the Centre government a mere gimmick. He said the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister kept elaborating this relief for about a week, but when it came to allocation, it had nothing for the common people. He alleged reliefs were given to influential and rich while commoners and marginal businesses got nothing. He also pointed out that prices of diesel have become equivalent to those of petrol.
He also said that instead of the relief package, the Centre should have given 10 kg ration per month and deposit Rs 7500 in the accounts of those who do not fall under income tax limit. He said this demand was raised several times during the lockdown. There were several other issues that Chauhan raised while addressing the protestors. (Watch Video).
Though the protest was being staged in front of the Office of Superintendent of Police, Shimla, and several police personal were present on the site, social distancing was hardly maintained.
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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