Shimla faces threat of drinking water shortage

With heavy and persistent rainfall lashing Shimla and its adjoining areas, the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) has issued an advisory urging residents to use water judiciously. The company, responsible for managing the town’s drinking water supply, has warned that Shimla could face a severe shortage if the current weather conditions continue.

A spokesperson of the SJPNL said the situation has become precarious after the Meteorological Department issued a warning of very heavy to heavy rainfall in the district over the next two days. Prolonged downpours are likely to cause flooding and lead to a sharp increase in turbidity levels in water supply sources, rendering the water unsafe for consumption.

“At present, turbidity in supply sources is already hovering around 1,200 to 1,500 NTU. If the heavy rainfall continues, it may rise to extremely high levels,” the spokesperson noted.

He further pointed out that several water supply schemes and pumping stations had sustained major damage during earlier spells of rain and landslides. With continuous downpours, the risk of further destruction to these facilities remains high. “If pumping stations are damaged again, the water supply of the entire town will have to be suspended,” he warned.

Residents have been advised to strictly conserve water, avoid misuse, and use rainwater for domestic chores. Water supplied by SJPNL should be reserved only for drinking purposes and consumed after boiling, the spokesperson emphasised.

Shimla’s daily requirement of drinking water stands at 45–48 million litres, drawn from six key sources—Gumma, Giri, Chairh, Soeg, Churot and Koti Brandi. Officials cautioned that any major disruption to these schemes could result in an acute shortage, compounding difficulties for the town already battling incessant rains.