DC Anupam Kashyap directs SDMs to conduct regular reviews; focus on vulnerable zones, early warning systems and emergency response.
With the monsoon season approaching, the Shimla district administration has intensified its preparedness measures to tackle potential natural disasters and safeguard lives, property and critical infrastructure across the district.
A comprehensive review meeting on monsoon preparedness was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap at the Savings Building on Thursday, with all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) participating through video conferencing.
Reviewing the district’s disaster management strategy, the Deputy Commissioner directed all SDMs to hold dedicated meetings next week to assess monsoon preparedness in their respective subdivisions. He also instructed officers to review arrangements for the upcoming apple season in coordination with field staff.
Highlighting the district’s disaster response network, Kashyap said Shimla currently has around 200 Disaster Friends and nearly 500 Youth Disaster Friends, who will play a crucial role during emergencies. Panchayat representatives have also been urged to actively participate in disaster response and relief efforts.
The Deputy Commissioner said the administration’s primary objective is to minimise risks arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, waterlogging and other monsoon-related disasters. Special emphasis is being placed on identifying vulnerable locations, strengthening early warning systems, ensuring timely rescue and relief operations and maintaining uninterrupted essential services.
Describing Shimla as a geographically sensitive Himalayan district, Kashyap noted that rapid urbanisation, climate change and changing rainfall patterns have significantly increased the risk of landslides and flash floods, making disaster risk reduction and resilient development more important than ever.
As part of infrastructure safety measures, inspections of national and state highways, bridges, drainage networks and flood protection structures are underway. Vulnerable roads have been identified, and repair and maintenance work is being expedited before the peak monsoon season.
Warning signboards are being installed in landslide and flood-prone areas, while alternative route plans are being prepared to ensure smooth movement in case of road blockages. Departments have also been instructed to identify critical infrastructure and submit proposals under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The administration has distributed 219 disaster response kits under the Panchayat Emergency Response Plan in Rohru, Jubbal, Kupvi, Chaupal, Rampur, Nankhari and Chohara subdivisions.
In a strict directive, the Deputy Commissioner announced that all SDMs will conduct monsoon preparedness review meetings on the 10th, 20th and 30th of July, August and September, with progress reports to be submitted the following day. Patwaris have also been directed to submit detailed reports, photographs and videos of monsoon-related damage, with negligence in reporting set to attract action.
The district administration has drawn lessons from major disasters such as the 2023 Shiv Baori Temple landslide in Summer Hill and the 2024 Samej cloudburst and flash flood in Rampur, both of which caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
To strengthen the information network, the administration is coordinating with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC), dam authorities and disaster management agencies for real-time weather alerts and public advisories. The District Emergency Operation Centre (1077) remains fully operational, while satellite communication systems have been activated across subdivisions.
According to official data, the highest number of disaster-related fatalities between 2016 and 2025 occurred during the monsoon season, underlining the need for enhanced preparedness and public cooperation.
The administration has appealed to residents and tourists to follow weather advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and stay away from landslide and flood-prone areas. Officials stressed that timely preparation, public awareness and inter-departmental coordination remain the strongest tools in mitigating monsoon-related disasters.
