3 reasons why Shimla is facing an acute water crisis, and how locals are reacting
Locals are agitated as a week goes by with Shimla's water crisis getting worse -- here we are leisurely planning an alternate holiday destination this summer.
We have been talking about the shortage of water in Cape Town, then Bangalore, and now it's a hill station's turn. The most popular city amidst the beautiful mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla has been the primary go-to holiday destination for people across the country. However, the Queen of Hills, as it is popularly called, is calling for its tourists to fend off for a while -- thanks to its acute water crisis.
For what has been going on for years now, HP's most popular city's water crisis has worsened in the past seven days. People have to wait for up to days to get clean water in their homes, and the life source is being distributed under the police protection of up to 70 personnel.
The situation has reached the courts of Shimla and there is a new appeal being made every single day by the officials, media and the locals.
Shimla's water supply
Capacity of water sources:
- The town that is facing acute water crisis gets it water supply from five major water sources -- Gumma, Giri, Ashwini Khad, Churta and Seog
- The overall installed capacity of all these combined is 65 million litres per day (MLD) and the demand is of around 45 MLD
- Despite the capacity being higher, the city only gets up to 35 MLD on an average throughout the year
- Most of the water leaks out during pumping and distribution
The Ashwani Khad water supply scheme was closed in Shimla after an outbreak of jaundice due to contaminated water in 2015, and a proper system needs to be installed if it is to be used in these times of water crisis.
Rajan Sehgal, Registrar, Shimla University-AGU, lives in Goodwood estate, Shimla. Calling the water distribution system 'faulty', he gives us a picture of the current scenario in the city:
The water sources that we have always had have started drying up... what used to be a 40 MLD till a while ago has now come down to about 19-20 MLD to be distributed amongst all.
"Out of this, there is a 20-25 per cent leakage because of faulty pipelines... There really should have been something done before the situation got this bad," he added
Current water drawn:
- As of now, only around 18.5 MLD in Shimla is being drawn out by Municipal Corporation of the state from all sources combined
- It is this water that is required to be distributed to water crisis-hit residents and commercial establishments within the municipal limits of the town, the court observed yesterday -- according to agency reports
- A mineral water wholesale trader, Jasvir Singh told ANI that the demand for bottled water has increased by 50 to 60 per cent due to water scarcity in the capital
"Govt has known from so many years that we have a water shortage problem. Now, all steps are being taken because the problem in Shimla has become acute," says Sehgal.
Why has Shimla's water problem become acute?
All the plans that were made to fix the problem, failed. The ambitious Koldam water supply scheme, aimed to tackle water crisis by lifting water from Sutlej river is still in the works after six years. Schemes are made, but nothing is finalised
Water distribution problem in Shimla
Rajan says the distribution of available water resources has always been "uneven".
"Different areas that get water have never been uniformly supplied. For example, one area might get an open water tap flow for 3-4 hours continuously, while another will only get it for one hour. Now, the rules say that in Shimla, there will be no partiality in distribution, but why wasn't this done before?"
"Even right now, our area is supposed to get water supply as we are facing water crisis according to the municipality... But it hasn't," he added.
3 main reasons behind Shimla's acute water crisis
1. Shimla's tourist footfall
The increasing number of tourists visiting the foothills is adding to the problem.
- 15,000-20,000 tourists visit the Himalayan city every day during the peak tourist season
- The resident population of the city is 2.2 lakh, while tourist arrivals over the weekend reach 25,000-30,000
As Sehgal puts it:
"Even tankers that are being arranged for hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions are very less than what is required... this is why we Shimlaiites are saying, stop coming for holiday here... if water will have to be arranged for you as well, we locals will die or what?!"
2. Climate change in Shimla
Climate plays a big role in this water crisis; climate change and its impacts are profound on the hilly city's water supply system.
- Rare and scanty rainfall this season was -- on an average -- 80 per cent deficient than the usual during previous monsoon months
- There was also much lower-than-usual precipitation during the winter months, making them dry
- The sources of water have gone 50 per cent below the average
- The less retention of water through the natural water eco-system, and more flooding in Shimla has led to residual water that cannot be harvested
3. Building plan in Shimla
The overall building plan in the city is a matter of concern for the water crisis, as noted by The Tribune.
- More embankments are required to restrict the flow of surface water so that it percolates and recharges numerous water bodies
- But, the kind of infrastructure that is in place for drains and houses is such that water gushes fast and is hardly retained
- Catchment areas need to be created around water bodies to promote natural recharging
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