Chamba Town Faces Water Crisis After Sal River Flash Flood
Torrential rains unleashed a flash flood in the Sal River on July 29, 2025, severely impacting Chamba town’s water infrastructure. The deluge caused significant damage to the water supply system, leaving residents without access to clean drinking water.
Repair work is currently underway to restore normalcy. However, due to the extent of the damage and high demand, water will be rationed to once daily once partial supply is restored.
Authorities have appealed to residents to exercise water conservation measures and cooperate during this challenging period. The situation highlights the vulnerability of Himalayan towns to extreme weather events, underscoring the need for robust infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
The crisis underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure in hill towns to withstand increasingly frequent and intense weather events linked to climate change. The long-term impact on the town’s economy and public health remains a pressing concern.