Himachal braces for drought: Govt sets Up high-level panel to audit Water sources and avert crisis
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Feb 24,
A move to perhaps avert a looming water crisis, the Himachal Pradesh government has set up a high-level monitoring panel to audit water sources and formulate an urgent action plan. The decision comes as the state stares at a potential drought due to inadequate winter rain and snowfall.
Also read:Declare Himachal drought-affected before crisis worsens: Former Dy Mayor Tikender Panwar
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena has directed Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Jal Shakti Omkar Sharma to spearhead this initiative, ensuring immediate intervention before the situation spirals out of control. The panel will assess all major water sources, pinpoint inefficiencies, and devise strategies to safeguard supplies ahead of the scorching summer months.
The move follows a pressing appeal from former Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Tikendra Singh Panwar, who, in a letter dated February 7, 2025, and media reports highlighting the government to declare Himachal Pradesh drought-affected. With water scarcity already gripping several regions—where supply is limited to once every four to five days—authorities are now scrambling to prevent a full-blown crisis.
The monitoring panel’s immediate focus will be on tackling massive water losses due to pipeline leakages, which currently waste an estimated 40 to 50 percent of the total supply. Repairing these leaks and reinforcing pipeline infrastructure is now a top priority.
Illegal borewells are also under the scanner. Indiscriminate groundwater extraction has led to alarming depletion levels, prompting the government to crack down on unauthorized borewells to ensure fair and regulated water access. Simultaneously, the panel will audit existing reservoirs, exploring ways to maximize their efficiency and storage capacity.
Experts have long warned of Himachal’s increasing vulnerability to climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has repeatedly highlighted the Himalayas as one of the most sensitive regions to global warming. Erratic snowfall and a receding snowline have severely impacted the region’s natural water reserves. The state saw excessive rainfall in 2023, followed by an alarming dip in precipitation in 2024, with the dry spell continuing into early 2025. Without significant rainfall before July’s monsoon season, experts fear a severe drought could cripple agriculture and daily water supplies.
Chief Secretary Saxena has assured residents that the government is taking all possible measures to prevent a disaster. “This panel will leave no stone unturned in assessing water sources, curbing wastage, and implementing sustainable solutions,” he stated.
With summer fast approaching and water scarcity deepening, Himachal Pradesh’s swift action signals the urgency of the crisis. The high-level panel’s findings and recommendations will be pivotal in shaping policies to secure long-term water sustainability. The race against time has begun.
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.
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