Tragic River Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns for Tourists in Himachal Pradesh
Tourism Boom Meets Rising Dangers
Munish Sood
MANDI: The summer tourist season is in full swing in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in popular destinations like Manali, Kasol, Tirthan, Banjar, Sissu, and Jispa. The region is experiencing an influx of visitors, with hotels fully booked, roads congested, and trekking paths bustling with activity. However, this vibrant atmosphere is overshadowed by a troubling trend — the rivers of Himachal are increasingly becoming sites of tragedy.
The Dangers of Snow-Fed Rivers
Rivers such as the Beas and Parvati, known for their stunning beauty, pose significant risks due to their strong currents, slippery rocks, and sudden surges. What should be serene natural landscapes are turning into scenes of sorrow.
A Rising Toll of River-Related Fatalities
Since 2009, over 160 deaths linked to river incidents have been recorded in Himachal Pradesh, and this figure continues to rise. Despite the presence of warning signs and local advisories, many tourists, eager for the perfect photo or an adrenaline rush, neglect essential safety measures.
Chronology of Tragic Events
Notable incidents include:
• June 4, 2024: Anchal (17) and Meenu (24) from Uttar Pradesh drowned while taking selfies near the Beas in Vashisht; their bodies remain unrecovered.
• May 26-27, 2024: Ruchi Tiwari (23) from Madhya Pradesh and Saurabh Shah (33) from Hyderabad fell into the river near Nehru Kund while taking pictures. Ruchi's body was found, but Saurabh is still missing.
• June 27, 2024: Kavita from Haryana drowned in the Parvati while washing her feet.
• May 12, 2023: An 11-year-old boy from Telangana drowned at Nehru Kund in front of onlookers, despite visible warnings.
• October 2019: A tourist from Guwahati drowned after slipping into the Parvati at Kasol.
• October 2016: Mohammed Fayaz (20) from Kerala drowned while bathing in Manikaran; his body was never recovered.
• June 8, 2014: The Beas River Disaster, where a sudden water release from the Larji Dam swept away 24 engineering students and a guide near Mandi, remains a haunting reminder of negligence.
Factors Contributing to Tourist Fatalities
Reasons include:
• Social media obsession: Tourists often venture to dangerous riverbanks for social media posts, ignoring the risks involved.
• Lack of awareness: Many visitors do not realize that snow-fed rivers can be deceptively powerful, with flow changes occurring rapidly.
• Ignoring warnings: Despite the presence of signboards and advisories, tourists frequently disregard barricades and enter restricted areas.
• Sudden water releases: Dams like the Larji Hydroelectric Project can release water unexpectedly, leading to dangerous flash floods downstream without prior notice.
Local Perspectives on Tourist Behavior
“We shout, we warn, we even put ropes and guards—but some tourists are too arrogant to listen,” says Ramesh Thakur, a rafting instructor in Kullu. “They want that one photo on the edge of the rock—and they slip.” A local hotelier adds, “We’ve seen more bodies pulled out of the Beas than fish. It’s heartbreaking. But what can we do when warnings fall on deaf ears?”
Environmental Impact of Tourism
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the surge in tourism is also leading to environmental degradation. Rivers are becoming polluted with litter such as beer bottles, plastic wrappers, and even used diapers, particularly near Kasol and Chhalal.
“There’s almost no waste management here. People just throw garbage into the river,” a trekker remarked on social media.