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Fear of Himachal’s Health Workers Comes True as a Corona Warrior Succumbs to Infection
Shimla-Himachal Pradesh lost a corona warrior as a nurse serving at the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, lost the battle against Covid-19 after contracting the infection during her duty. She had tested positive on April 29 and succumbed to the infection on Monday. No details of the the deceased were released.
For the health workers, who are left more vulnerable after the Himachal Pradesh Government ended the condition of the quarantine period for doctors on Covid-19 duty, their fear has come true with the demise of this corona warrior.
The HP Government recently issued a notification that the health staff on Covid-19 duty would not have to go through the quarantine period after discharging duties in an environment with a heavy virus load. That implied that the doctor could go straight to duties in OPDs and to their families after their Covid-19 duties. The logic given was that the health staff has received both doses of vaccine so they don’t need to quarantine.
However, the sad demise of the nurse contradicts this assumption of the state government that health workers would not get infected after receiving both doses.
“This is what we were talking about. If our corona warriors are not safe then how can we say that we can save our people? So to save our people, we have to take care of our corona warrior’s and this is the need of the hour,” Pushpinder Verma, General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association, told Himachal Watcher.
Doctors in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday worked sporting black ribbons as a protest against the state government’s notification regarding ending the quarantine period for health staff.
“Wearing a black ribbon, all doctors discharged their duties as usual. The association of residents doctors in medical colleges of the state also supported the protest,” he said
Doctors Wearing Black Ribbons As Protest Against State Govt’s Decision
The HMOA on last Thursday had condemned the state government’s decision terming it insensitive as it not only put the lives of corona warriors at risk, but also of their families, colleagues, and people around them.
The Association had argued that this decision was mindlessly adopted from AIIMs, which is far more advanced and resourceful compared to the entire Himachal’s health system. The Association also said that besides resourcefulness, the institute offers several facilities to its staff including residence within the premises of the institute.
Health Staff Wearing Black Ribbons
The Himachal Pradesh Nurses Association has also condemned this contentious decision of state government.
Nurses across the state are serving day and night across the state hospitals, regardless of the risk posed to their lives while working in an environment with a heavy virus load, the State Nurses Association said.
After a duty of 10 days in a row, the nurses should be isolated for 7 days to prevent the possible spread of the virus to their family and others around them, the Association demanded.
Health Staff Wearing Black Ribbons
The association also informed that despite receiving both the doses of Covid-19, many nurses have contracted the infection after rendering their services in the covid-19 wards.
The President of the Association, Aruna Luthra, General Secretary, Sita Thakur, Vice President, Veena Rana, Sushma Thakur, Indu Kashyap and others demanded a quarantine period of seven days for the nurses.
The Association had asked the government to roll back the order. It warned of more aggressive resistance if the demand was not accepted.
Further, the Jairam Thakur-led state government is again facing criticism for the lack of vision and imposing orders passed from the Union Government without considering the ground realities of the state. The medical fraternity has also criticized government’s approach to preparing policies, which they say are formed based on consultation of a few blue-eyed officials in a closed room.
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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