Why tourists are suddenly being fined near Himachal's rivers; read in detail
PTC Web Desk: The Himachal Police is fining tourists entering rivers as authorities step up safety measures ahead of the monsoon season. Despite repeated warnings, many visitors continue to enter rivers to take selfies and shoot videos, putting their lives at risk.
The Himachal Police fine tourists entering rivers campaign comes as water levels in rivers across the state are rising due to pre-monsoon rainfall, melting glaciers and the continuous release of water from dams. Officials have urged tourists to stay away from riverbanks and avoid entering fast-flowing streams.
As part of the drive, the Himachal Police fined 12 tourists in Manali on Thursday, imposing a penalty of Rs 1,000 on each person for violating safety guidelines. Most of those penalised were reportedly from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The police said several tourists are ignoring warning signs installed along Beas River and entering the water for photographs and social media reels.
In many cases, visitors have been seen walking into the middle of the river despite repeated warnings from police personnel. Officials said some tourists refused to leave even after being advised about the dangers.
Authorities have warned that rivers in Himachal Pradesh can become dangerous within minutes.
Even if the water appears calm, the current in mountain rivers is often much stronger than it looks. During the monsoon, water levels can rise suddenly due to heavy rainfall in upper regions or the release of water from hydroelectric dams, leaving little time for people to escape.
Last week, three tourists were swept away by the strong current in Manikaran. Fortunately, local residents rescued them before a tragedy could occur.
To improve tourist safety, the Manali police have requested the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to close unauthorised paths leading from the highway to the Beas.
The police have also asked authorities to install additional fencing and warning boards at vulnerable locations to prevent visitors from reaching dangerous riverbanks.
Notably, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed several fatal accidents caused by tourists entering rivers despite warnings. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 2014 when 24 engineering students from Hyderabad lost their lives after water was suddenly released from the Larji Hydroelectric Project into the Beas River in Mandi district. Similar drowning incidents have also been reported in recent years.
Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal said police teams are regularly patrolling tourist hotspots and spreading awareness about river safety. He said strict action is being taken against those who continue to violate safety rules despite repeated warnings.
The police have appealed to visitors not to risk their lives for selfies, photographs or social media content, reminding them that mountain rivers can become dangerous without warning, especially during the monsoon season.
- With inputs from agencies
