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Mandi Faces Unprecedented Water Crisis

Munish Sood
MANDI: In the last two months, Mandi city in Himachal Pradesh has experienced severe devastation due to floods. From June 29 to mid-August, the area was hit by three separate flooding events, each leaving behind significant destruction. While the impact on lives and property was profound, the most alarming issue arose from the sudden failure of the town's essential drinking water supply.

Rohit Gupta: A Beacon of Hope

At the forefront of this crisis was Rohit Gupta, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Himachal Pradesh Jal Shakti Department in Mandi. As a local resident, Gupta became a symbol of both hope and frustration. For over 50 days, he has dedicated 15 to 18 hours each day to address the challenges of collapsed pipelines, malfunctioning pumping stations, and the anger of residents, all while managing his own declining health to ensure water reaches the households of Mandi.

Sleepless Nights and Tireless Repairs

The floods that occurred on June 29-30 devastated every water supply scheme serving Mandi and its neighboring areas, plunging the city into a dire situation overnight.

“People were desperate, and their only question was when the water would return. I had no answer, but I was determined to restore the supply, even if it meant sleepless nights on the roads,” Gupta recalls.

Leading a team of five junior engineers, departmental staff, and over 200 workers from the region, Gupta spearheaded a massive repair initiative, often personally overseeing operations at various sites where pipelines were being repaired, sources tapped, or pumping stations restored.

Personal Sacrifices Amidst the Crisis

This effort took a toll on Gupta's health. In the past seven weeks, he has visited doctors multiple times due to chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, and dangerously high blood pressure, with his latest reading at 108/158.

Despite doctors' advice to rest, Gupta dismissed the suggestion. “If I sleep, the town’s water crisis will only worsen,” he stated, opting to return to the field instead.

Daily Inspections and Coordination

Each day, Gupta travels 20 to 25 kilometers throughout the town and its outskirts, inspecting sites where pipes are laid, pumps are repaired, or sources are restored. He maintains constant communication with contractors, engineers, pump operators, welders, outsourced companies, ward councillors, and senior officials.

Equally important is his continuous coordination with water supply operators to ensure fair distribution across neighborhoods with limited resources. While managing this monumental task, Gupta also provides real-time updates to his superiors in the department.

Facing Public Anger and Criticism

Despite his unwavering commitment, Gupta has often faced public backlash. Frustrated residents frequently call him late at night, expressing their anger, sometimes resorting to insults. “No day goes by without someone lashing out,” he admits.

On social media, he has also encountered trolling and criticism. However, Gupta has chosen to remain silent rather than engage in confrontation. “People don’t see the struggles behind the scenes. My focus is on work, not arguments,” he explains. Currently, Mandi’s water supply has seen partial stabilization, though challenges persist. Behind every drop that reaches homes lies the unseen effort of Gupta and his team.

“He is an unsung hero, a man who prioritized the community's needs over his health, faced criticism, and stood firm amid disasters, simply because he understood the people's pain. Recognition may or may not come, but for the citizens of Mandi, Rohit Gupta's silent service has been nothing short of lifesaving,” remarked a local resident.

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