Shimla faces water crisis amid rising turbidity in supply sources

Shimla residents are likely to face a drinking water shortage over the next few days due to extremely high turbidity levels in the town’s main water sources following heavy rainfall.

According to officials from the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL), turbidity in the Nauti khud at Gumma — one of Shimla’s primary water supply schemes — has reached a record-breaking 6,850 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), making the water unfit for human consumption. Another major source, the Giri scheme, also had to be shut down due to flooding on Monday.

SJPNL Managing Director Virender Thakur said turbidity levels in most of Shimla’s drinking water sources are currently hovering between 4,000 and 5,000 NTU — far above the safe limit. “There will be a shortage of drinking water in the town on Tuesday,” Thakur confirmed. “The situation in the coming days will depend on the weather. If there’s little or no rain, the supply may normalise. But continued rainfall could worsen the shortage.”

A revised water distribution schedule will be prepared on Tuesday. Shimla was previously receiving water five days a week, which had already been reduced to alternate days due to earlier spikes in turbidity.

Thakur attributed the rising turbidity to unregulated construction activity across the region. “Debris from roads, hotels, and housing construction is often dumped into nullahs and forests. During heavy rain, this debris is washed into water sources, severely affecting water quality,” he explained.

In light of potential health hazards, the SJPNL has issued a public advisory urging residents to boil drinking water for at least 10 minutes before consumption. “Our bodies are more prone to infections during monsoon,” said Thakur. “Boiling water is an effective way to prevent diseases like jaundice, cholera and gastrointestinal infections.”

As monsoon-related challenges mount, officials are urging citizens to cooperate and exercise caution until conditions improve.