10 places to avoid travelling during monsoons in India

The monsoon season in India, while a blessing for farmers and nature lovers, can be a nightmare for travelers in certain regions. From landslides in the Himalayas to urban flooding in metro cities, the rains often trigger severe disruptions. If you’re planning a trip during the rainy season (June to September), here’s a list of 10 specific places in India that are best avoided during monsoon, based on government advisories and real events.

Kedarnath and Badrinath are prime pilgrim centers in the Garhwal Himalayas. But, during the monsoon season, roads leading to these shrines are extremely susceptible to flash floods and landslides. In recent years, tragedies such as the 2013 Kedarnath flood catastrophe and recurring seasonal landslides have prompted the Uttarakhand government to put the Char Dham Yatra on hold temporarily during torrential rains. Even this year, the authorities have suggested travelers postpone or cancel trips if rain forecasts are high.

One of India's most popular hill stations, Manali has landslides, jammed roads, and inundated rivers during monsoon. The Atal Tunnel and the road to Rohtang Pass are regularly closed because of landslides or snowmelt floods. In July 2023, hundreds of tourists were stuck in Kullu and Manali after bridges collapsed and roads caved in following heavy rains.

These twin villages are internationally famous for receiving the maximum rainfall. In monsoon, Mawsynram and Cherrapunji get so heavy rain that roads and trails are slippery, foggy, and almost impassable. Though the scenery is breathtaking, the incessant rain makes touring challenging and even risky in countryside areas with inferior infrastructure.

India's financial hub, Mumbai, grinds to a virtual standstill during every monsoon. The city is notorious for water-logged roads, rail delays, and choked drains. Andheri, Dadar, Kurla, and Sion are some of the areas that witness the heavy damages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) consistently sends out red warnings for Mumbai during the peak monsoon fortnight.

Monsoon floods in Assam drastically hit Kaziranga, India's most significant wildlife reserve. In 2023, floods submerged more than 60% of the park, prompting animals to migrate and tourism to shut down completely.

Though Kerala is famous for its lovely backwaters and greenery during the monsoon season, some hilly districts such as Munnar and Wayanad are landslide-prone areas. Some areas have recored massive landslides, road landslides, and flooding during the past years. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) frequently sends landslide warnings to these areas during heavy rains. So, stay updated before you make the plans.

Although Spiti is a rain shadow area, the routes that go to it, particularly from Manali through Kunzum Pass, are subject to landslides and flash floods in the monsoon. During some years, visitors have remained stranded for days from rockfalls and river overflow. The tourism board of Himachal Pradesh typically cautions visitors against organizing Spiti road trips during June to September.

The islands are famous for beach vacations and snorkeling, but during monsoon, there are strong winds, high waves, and rough seas, so watersports become dangerous. Havelock Island frequently sees its ferries canceled, so it is difficult to travel from island to island. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) sends out regular high-sea warnings during this period.

These picturesque hill stations of North Bengal turn vulnerable during monsoon. NH-10, the Siliguri-Darjeeling and Kalimpong connecting main road, gets obstructed by landslides frequently, particularly around Teesta Bazar and Melli. Travelers were stranded in hotels with limited provisions because of road blockages.

In monsoon, the Ganges River tends to inundate portions of Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), and Ballia. Flooding of ghats, flooded roads, and tardy trains are the usual issues. The floodplains are also susceptible to health issues such as waterborne diseases. Uttar Pradesh authorities have consistently raised flood warnings in low-lying areas in July and August.