Himachal

Travel Tips & Guides

Why Say NO To
Himachal
In Monsoon

Is it safe to visit Manali and other hill stations of Himachal Pradesh in the monsoon months of July and August? Whether monsoon travelling to the mountains of Himachal is risky? Here are all your answers.

The monsoon is here and so are the landslides, rockslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh.

The two monsoon months of July and August can be highly dangerous in Himachal due to heavy rainfalls and resulting landslides and floods. Tens of people get killed in scores of landslides witnessed every year in Himachal. Not only landslides but the water level in the rivers and rivulets also increases many folds causing heavy floods. 

So, should you be travelling to the mountains in the monsoons? The answer is simple. 

No, if you don’t want to take unnecessary risks. You can always say no to Himachal in monsoon as it’s not an ideal time to travel.

Here is all about landslides, rockslides, worst roads in monsoons and why exactly it’s unsafe and risky to travel to Himachal during monsoons.

What is a landslide?

When soil moves down a slope, it’s called a landslide.  In a landslide, soil can slide, fall or flow. In mountain areas, mostly huge blocks of soil slide down. A landslide occurs when a slope becomes unstable due to variety of reasons. A landslide is triggered by an event like rainfall or earthquake. Dharamshala receives the highest rainfall in Himachal. Spiti is the driest region of the state.

What is a rockslide?

Rockslide is also a form of landslide. In a rockslide, heavy rocks or boulders fall down a slope. The tumbling rocks make other rocks on their way to fall down a slope. Rockslides are the most dangerous as they smash everything on their way. Every year many people get killed after boulders fall on their vehicles while driving. Last year in 2021, 9 tourists were killed in a rockslide in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Which are the most landslide-prone districts in Himachal Pradesh?

Kinnaur, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Lahaul and Spiti, Mandi, Solan and Shimla are the most landslide-prone districts of Himachal. These are also the places where in recent years maximum number of cloudbursts, flash floods and floods have been witnessed making them highly dangerous places to visit in monsoons.

Which are the most landslide-prone roads in Himachal Pradesh?

Landslides occur on almost all the major and link roads in Himachal Pradesh. But here are the worst of them:

*Chandigarh-Manali national highway: On this road especially the Pandoh and Hanogi stretches in Mandi district are highly landslide-prone. Landslides are annual occurrence on this road, often resulting in traffic jams for hours besides causing damage. The Swarghat area in Bilaspur district along this national highway is also quite landslide-prone.

*Manali-Leh highway: This 428-kilometer road is one of the most treacherous and dangerous ones during monsoons due to regular landslides, rockfalls, flash floods that sometimes wash away stretches of this highway.

*Chandigarh-Shimla highway: This highway is highly landslide-prone and rockslide-prone during monsoons and often remains closed for hours during heavy rains. Recently, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had also identified multiple landslide-probe sites on this stretch.

*Shimla-Kinnaur highway: This is another highway in Himachal which become highly dangerous due to landslides and falling rocks during monsoons. This highway that connects the tribal district of Kinnaur to the outside world often remain closed during monsoons.

*Pathankot-Chamba highway: it’s another road that is highly prone to landslides and rockfalls. This highway also gets shut regularly during monsoons. Chamba to Bharmour road is also highly prone to landslides. Even cloudbursts have occurred here in this region.

*Kullu-Banjar-Shimla highway: The highway number 305 that connects Kullu with Banjar and then Shimla via Jalori Pass is another dangerous road especially during monsoons.

*Roads in Kangra and Sirmaur: The roads and national highways connecting these two districts also witness multiple landslides annually and cut these regions off for days. It’s dangerous to travel in these areas as well.

*Link roads: Besides the national highways leading to popular tourist spots, the internal roads in the districts also witness these natural disasters. Some of the link roads and surrounding areas infamous for landslides includes Bhuntar to Manikaran road that takes you to Kasol in Kullu’s Parvati valley and Mandi-Janjheli road that takes you to the scenic Janjheli valley in Mandi.

Why most landslides happen along the roads?

Various studies have concluded that road-building causes slope instability in the mountains. In building a road, often steep slopes are cut using heavy machinery. This develops cracks in the rocks besides weakening the stability of the slopes. So, yes, we see more of the landslides along roads only.

Are there any alternate roads in Himachal for clearing traffic?

Yes, but very few. Like for example, there is an alternate route to Mandi-Manali highway. It is via Kandi-Kataula and meets the national highway 21 in Bajaura near Kullu. But landslides occur on this road also.

What are the other dangers?

Flash floods, over-flowing rivulets and rivers are other dangers. Going near a river or a rivulet is strict big No during monsoons as the water level can rise in no time. Some district administrations in Himachal including Kullu and Lahaul have announced fine for going near rivers. Many rivulets also wash away roads during monsoons. Pagal Nalla (literally Mad Rivulet) in Spiti is known for maddening flow of water that often wipe away roads during monsoons. The rains also increase the possibility of road accidents in the mountains.

If I must travel, then what precautions I should take?

If you must travel then first check the weather forecast and the condition of the roads you will be taking. If a red alert has been issued by the weather department, then you should postpone your travel. If the roads are closed then again naturally you should again postpone. Also, you should avoid the link roads where the help reaches a little late compared to the highways.

Which local agencies to contact for help in case of emergency?

During monsoons, local administrations release helpline numbers including of disaster management authorities. Some local administrations have also set up disaster help desks. You can contact them, to begin with. These numbers are available on the Facebook pages of district administrations including those of Kullu and Lahaul. These pages also share and update information on the closure of roads. The helpline numbers are also available on the official websites of local administrations. 

Are adventure sports allowed in Himachal during monsoons?

No. Because of the rising water levels and fear of landslides most adventure activities like rafting and paragliding are banned for two months from July 15 till September 15.

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Cloudbursts & Landslides: Why It’s Dangerous to Travel to Himachal in Monsoon! Video

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