Extreme rainfall halts Shimla water supply, hundreds of schemes across Himachal disrupted
Shimla, Aug 14,
Shimla’s water supply has come to a halt, with over 130 other water schemes across Himachal Pradesh disrupted due to relentless heavy rainfall, flash floods, and dangerously high turbidity levels.
Sahil Sharma, spokesperson for Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited, said the water level at Chaba is currently at booster stage, while the Gumma pumping stations are battling floodwaters that have reached houses near the Nauti Khad. Heavy flow is also being reported from the upstream catchment of Shalli, even as the Bharari storage tank underwent cleaning just yesterday.
Sharma cautioned that most areas will face water shortages on Thursday, as intake from sources has dropped to negligible levels. “We do not maintain large storage reserves—supply is made simultaneously to keep pressure balanced across distribution tanks. With today’s supply suspended, taps could run dry until restoration work is completed,” he warned, advising residents to use water sparingly.
Recent rains had already weakened Shimla’s supply system, with turbidity levels so high that immediate restoration is not possible. On Wednesday, the city received only 38 MLD (million litres per day) till 10 pm, far below the daily requirement.
Statewide, the situation is severe. Continuous downpours and cloudbursts have reportedly caused losses worth Rs 600–Rs 700 crore to water infrastructure. According to the State Emergency Response Centre, 72 water supply schemes are non-functional in Mandi, 41 in Sirmaur, eight in Chamba, five in Lahaul-Spiti, and two each in Hamirpur and Shimla. Officials fear that with ongoing extreme weather, the number of defunct schemes could rise to between 700 and 800 in the coming days.
In short, Himachal Pradesh is facing one of its most widespread water supply disruptions in recent years, with urban and rural areas alike struggling to cope with the impact of extreme monsoon weather.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.