Rivers in spate, water sports banned in Kullu
River Rafting
 River rafting, river crossing, canoeing and all the
water sports have been banned in Kullu. Given the rising water level in Beas,
Parbati and other water streams of the district, administration has taken this
decision for the safety of tourists.
River Rafting
White water river rafting in Kullu-Manali
River Beas, Parbati and their tributaries are in spate and following heavy rains on hills
and valleys of the state. Also, the speed of melting of snow has doubled due to
rise in temperature. Rivers, which are flowing above the normal water level,
are posing threat to the tourists who are thronging river banks for various
water sports.
“All water
sports including white water river rafting and river crossing have been banned
for the security of the tourists. The ban would continue to be imposed until
water comes down to safe level,” district tourism development officer Minu Ram
Dhiman told Discover Kullu Manali. He added that if somebody is found organizing
any of the water sports, strict action would be taken against him.
Generally
administration imposes ban on water sports and paragliding between July 15 and
August 15 in rainy season when water streams and rivers come under flood. This
time the heavy rain that is continuing since last 72 hours has created monsoon
like situations. And administration had to take this hard decision in peak
summer tourist season.
Over five
thousand tourists were enjoying river rafting everyday at Pirdi and Babeli near
Kullu. Not only the ban has disappointed thousands of tourists but also hit the
employment of hundreds of youths here who were doing brisk business these days.
Sources say a large number of tourists visit Kullu-Manali only for adventure
sports like river rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, trekking and skiing.
According to
sources, a raft had capsized after being caught into a big rapid near Kullu on
Tuesday and all tourists were struggling for life the next moment. Although
tourists were saved by the rafters but nobody dared to offer ride to other
tourists.
Two tourists
were killed when their raft overturned near Seobag village of Kullu on February
25, 2013. A 20-year-old youth from Delhi had lost his life in similar mishap on
May 25, 2011. Payal Abdullah, wife of J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, had
a narrow escape when her raft overturned in Beas on June 25, 2011.

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