The ongoing heavy rainfall in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand is having a direct impact on the plains, with the Ganga River swelling steadily in Rishikesh and surrounding areas. In light of the rising water level, the Ganga River Rafting Management Committee has imposed a complete ban on rafting from Tuesday, June 24, until further orders.
According to Jaspal Chauhan, Secretary of the Ganga River Rafting Management Committee and Adventure Tourism Officer, the decision was made keeping tourist safety as the top priority. Any rafting operators found violating the ban will face legal action, he added.
Rafting on the Ganga is officially allowed between September 1 and June 30 each year, with operations suspended in July and August due to monsoon-related high water levels. Earlier, the tourism department had already shut down rafting routes from Kaudiyala, Marine Drive, Shivpuri, and Club House, allowing operations only from Brahmpuri. However, even this last active point has now been closed following a fresh assessment by tourism officials on Tuesday.
The Ganga is now flowing close to several ghats and banks including Lakshman Jhula, Swargashram, Munikireti, Tapovan, and Triveni Ghat, raising concerns among authorities and locals. Teams from the water police and disaster management departments have been deployed and remain on high alert.
As per the Central Water Commission, the river’s water level at noon on Tuesday was recorded at 338.00 meters, which is just 1.5 meters below the danger mark. With the river showing a steady rise in levels, the administration has urged both locals and tourists to stay away from the riverbanks and follow all safety advisories.
This temporary suspension of rafting—one of Rishikesh’s key tourist attractions—is expected to remain in effect until the water levels recede and conditions are deemed safe again.
