Shimla is reeling under acute water shortage with residents queuing in front of water tankers since early mornings. With water being distributed only once in eight days in most localities, people in the hills do not have even proper water drinking water. It is the eight day since the crisis began with no signs of permanent solution. People are forced to buy water at exorbitant prices. The water shortage has also affected the tourism industry in the Queen of Hills. Hotel bookings have seen a severe dip in the peak summer tourist time.

Many bookings in the tourist destination has been cancelled owing to the crisis. Some hotels have resorted to tankers like the locals for water, but there is a huge demand-supply gap. As the condition worsened, about 100 people protested outside the waterworks office on the main Mall Road. The group was stopped by police as they headed towards the residence of chief minister Jai Ram Thakur who on Monday held a meeting to monitor daily water supply. Locals have threatened to look the local Municipal Corporation (MC) as as their basic need was not met.

Speaking to Latestly, a local resident of Shimla said, "We have to store water because we don't know the situation ahead. We get water once in two to three days or else have to resort to the tankers." Suresh Dogra, a travel agent on the Mall Road told Hindustan Times, "Many bookings have been cancelled in the last two to three days. When the government cannot provide water then it should stop promoting Shimla as tourist destination."

As the situation worsened, the Himachal high court took suo moto cognizance of the crisis on Monday. The local bar association also halted their work in the wake of water crisis. The court has asked municipal commissioner Rohit Jamwal and other municipal officials to appear in person on Tuesday to explain the water problem. Locals have threatened to lock the local Municipal Corporation (MC) as as their basic need was not met.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2018 12:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).