Action Against Tourists in Manali: Police Issue Challans, Warn Against River Selfies

June 26, 2026

The Himachal Police has appealed to the tourists coming to visit the mountains not to enter the river. The water level of the rivers is rising rapidly due to pre-monsoon rains and melting of glaciers. In view of the threat of monsoon, water is also being released continuously from the dams. Still, many tourists are risking their lives to enter the rivers.

On Thursday, the Manali police issued challans of Rs 1,000 each to 12 such tourists. Most of these tourists are said to be from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Videos of tourists descending into the river are also going viral on social media for several days.

Some tourists are reaching the middle of the river for selfies and adventures, ignoring the warning written in the signboard. They are not even listening to the police’s explanation. The police have now taken strict action against the tourists who do such arbitrariness.

Last week, three tourists were swept away by the strong current of the river in Manikarn. However, the local people showed promptness and saved them.

Himachal Police is issuing challans for this reason.

Tourists are not agreeing even after seeing the signboard

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have put up signboards at various places along the Beas River, warning not to enter the river. Despite this, some tourists are not convinced.

Warning to tourists going to the riverbank

According to the police, many times tourists reach the Beas River directly through the roadside paths. In the hilly areas, the flow of rivers is quite fast despite appearing normal. The water level of the river may rise suddenly due to the release of water from the dams during the rainy season or the rain in the upper reaches.

Asks to close the roads leading to the river

For the safety of tourists, the Manali Police has also requested the BRO and NHAI to close the unauthorized roads leading to the river from the National Highway. Also, fencing and warning boards have been asked to be installed at places of need.

There have been major accidents in the past

Negligence on the riverbank in Himachal has proved to be fatal many times. In 2014, 24 engineering students from Hyderabad were killed in the Beas River after water was suddenly released from the Larji hydroelectric project at Thalot in Mandi district. Apart from this, many tourists have also drowned in the rivers in recent years.

SP said – Police are constantly making tourists aware

SP Kullu Madan Lal said that the police are making tourists aware not to go to the riverbank. Police personnel are constantly patrolling the area. Despite repeated persuasions, challans are being issued to those who are violating the rules. He has appealed to the tourists not to risk their lives for beautiful views and selfies.