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Kinnaur: Ban on Trekking, Mountaineering in District After Two Horrid Tragedies
Shimla-Following two separate tragic incidents where 10 tourists, who had undertaken trekking expeditions into high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district, went missing and were later found dead, the district administration has decided to put a complete ban on such activities in the region for the time being.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur district, Apoorv Devgan, on Monday issued a notification regarding the same.
“A large number of trekking enthusiasts scale the treacherous mountain treks/peaks of the district, making it a hotspot for these adventure activities. However, during the onset and peak of the winter season, the climatic conditions tend to change quickly, which poses a great threat to the life of the trekkers,” the notification said.
“Also undertaking search and rescue missions in such conditions are very risky which makes it necessary to restrict the trekking and mountaineering activities in the season,” the notification said.
Citing these reasons, the DC, under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, ordered the imposition of ban on trekking and mountaineering on all the treks in the district till further orders. He said legal action would be taken against violators.
It’s pertinent to mention that in two separate instances, 10 such tourists have died during the past week. On October 13, a group of 11 trekkers with six Nepalese porters had left from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, to Chitkul, on a trekking expedition. They were supposed to reach Chitkul on October 19. However, as the weather took a turn and led to heavy snowfall in the region, the trekkers got stuck at Lamkhaga Pass in Kinnaur district. While the porters decided to keep going and reached Chitkul on October 20, the trekkers decided to camp at the Pass. Later, during an ongoing rescue operation, two tourists were rescued alive in wounded condition, and dead bodies of seven of them were recovered. Two of them are still missing. These tourists included persons from Mumbai and guides from Uttarakhand.
In the second instance, 13 tourists left from Janglik of Rohru, Shimla district, on a trekking expedition to Sangla, Kinnaur district, on October 19. However, by October 24, they got stuck in bad weather conditions. Three of them died while the rescue team of police rescued 1o of them safely. Most of these tourists hailed from West Bengal.
Travel/trekking agencies have also been blamed for these two tragedies as they ignored warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and led these tourists into death traps. Moreover, the governments haven’t set any strict criteria for granting licenses to such agencies/guides. Often untrained and novice youth organize these expeditions, resulting in such disasters.
While the tough mountains of Himachal’s higher altitude regions lure tourists who wish to satisfy their appetite for adventure, many of them tend to be unaware of the lethal risks they pose, especially with untrained guides. The two tragic instances have aptly proved it.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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