95% of affected water supply schemes temporarily restored in Himachal: Dy CM Mukesh Agnihotri

The Jal Shakti Department, which has suffered a damage of Rs 580.30 crore, has temporarily restored 95 water supply schemes affected due to recent torrential rains and flash floods across the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said a total of 5,805 water supply schemes were affected due to the disaster, out of which 5,440 had been restored temporarily. He stated that the state had a total of 10,067 water supply schemes, including 3,210 lift schemes, 335 tubewells, and 6,522 gravity-based schemes.

“The heavy rainfall impacted 5,805 schemes, but swift action by the department has ensured that majority schemes were back in operation. The estimated damage to these water supply schemes stands at approximately Rs 434.47 crore,” he stated.

Agnihotri further informed that 1,293 irrigation schemes have also been affected with estimated losses of Rs 101.67 crore. Additionally, 43 flood protection works sustained damage worth Rs 19.77 crore, 83 sewerage schemes incurred losses of Rs 23.55 crore, and 319 hand pumps were damaged, leading to estimated losses of Rs 81.52 lakh. In total, 7,543 schemes were affected across the state with cumulative damages estimated at Rs 580.30 crore.

He commended the officers and employees of the Jal Shakti Department for exemplary promptness and dedication in restoring water supply schemes disrupted by the recent heavy rains. Restoration of water supply and sewerage infrastructure remains the top priority for the state government, he added.