Rain fury: Kullu DC allays fears as old, unrelated clips trigger panic
A sudden downturn in tourist arrivals struck Manali this week after old videos of rain fury went viral on social media. Hotels, taxi operators and tour agencies reported a surge in cancellations, compounding the losses of the tourism sector that is already facing typical monsoon-season slowdowns.
Allaying the fears, the Kullu Deputy Commissioner today asked people not to believe random social media posts and rather rely on updates from the district administration and disaster management agency.
The old videos or clips from other areas depict raging waters washing away roads and debris tumbling down the slopes. Viewers have interpreted one such video as evidence of a fresh calamity, prompting widespread alarm and booking cancellations in the Kullu-Manali belt.
Several online forums and travel groups have been flooded with queries about road closures.
Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh issued an official statement to allay the fears. The DC clarified that no unusual rainfall had been recorded in the region in recent days and confirmed that the viral footage was not current. “We are closely monitoring the spread of such misleading content,” she added.
The DC urged both residents and potential visitors to verify facts through credible sources before sharing dramatic videos. She reminded the public that genuine weather alerts would be disseminated via the district administration channels and the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority.
The DC stressed that Manali and its surrounding valleys remain safe for travel. She did, however, advised people to avoid riverbanks, stream beds and landslide-prone stretches during downpour. “False information not only incites unnecessary panic but also jeopardises the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on tourism,” she added.
Local stakeholders say the fallout is already severe. Hotel owners report cancellation rates jumping from an average of 10 per cent to nearly 50 per cent within 48 hours the clips went viral.
“The tourist season generally runs until mid-July,” said Rajesh, a tourism beneficiary in Manali. “One misleading video can erase weeks of planning and investment. At this rate, we could lose the bulk of our summer revenue,” he added.
In response, regional tourism associations have petitioned the state government to investigate the origin of the viral posts and penalise those who share unverified or outdated disaster footage. They have also appealed to travel influencers and media outlets to help circulate real-time, authenticated visuals of the area.
Meanwhile, the district administration is monitoring the weather round the clock. Tourists are advised to consult the HP Disaster Management website or the Kullu district portal for reliable updates, rather than relying on random social media posts.
Himachal Tribune