Planning a weekend monsoon getaway? Do it responsibly
Monsoon Outing near Pune
With the onset of monsoon, the Western Ghats wear a fresh and green look that tempts thousands to take a weekend trip. However, recent
monsoon
mishaps have led district authorities to restrict travel to many popular destinations. That said, you can still plan a weekend monsoon outing to the Sahyadris, but with a proper plan that puts safety above everything else. Here's how.
Know the guidelines
An order issued by Vikas Kharat, sub-divisional officer, Bhor, Velha, has restricted tourism activities in popular areas in the Maval, Mulshi, Velhe, Bhor, Ambegaon, Junnar and Lonavala regions. The order, valid till September 30, is in effect as these spots are prone to persistent rainfall which results in slippery trails, narrow roads and frequent landslides, making it riskier to travel.
The restrictions are on:
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
-Entering fast-flowing streams, swimming in dangerous waters, or going close to waterfalls
-Sitting under a waterfall
-Taking selfies and photographs at the waterfall edge, valley borders, and on steep terrain
-Reckless driving, parking vehicles on roads and in hazardous spots
-Loud music systems, DJ setups, car speakers, and woofers
Seek help, travel responsibly
'Even with restrictions, there are many monsoon-friendly activities that are safe and enjoyable when done responsibly,' says Hemant Vavle who runs
Nisargshala
, a camping place in Velhe. He adds that one can choose locations that offer natural beauty minus the disaster risks. 'This may include guided ridge walks, small treks via non-slippery trails or even the forest walks on mapped routes. It is recommended to take help from local guides for the forest trails to ensure safety,' he shares. Places around Jejuri, Bopdev ghat, Mulshi-Velha route and outer Panshet (non-restricted zones) are ideal for photography. One can also go birdwatching or just a scenic drive on these routes.
Popular and safe spots you can head to
Baneshwar Forest
Bhuleshwar Plateau
Rayareshwar Plateau
Ajiwali Devrai
In case of emergency
'If you realise that you're stuck somewhere, don't panic. There are ways you can seek help or take preventive measures,' says Ashish Bhangadiya, who organises treks in the Sahyadris. Here's what you can do in case of emergency situations:
Call 112, 100 (Police) or 1077 (Disaster Cell)
Share live location via WhatsApp/Google Maps before venturing into a low or no-network zone
Use offline maps like MapMyIndia or OSMand
Keep someone informed about your trip, route and return time
Always carry emergency contacts in a printed format
What to carry with yourself
Waterproof
rain
gear
Trek shoes with a good grip
Headlamp or a flashlight
First aid kit
Offline maps
Power bank and extra battery cells
Energy bars or dried snacks and water bottles
Emergency whistle and printed ID proof
Many mishaps during the monsoon happen because people ignore guidelines. While venturing into unknown areas, always seek help from locals as they know the terrain best
- Sagar Vilas Dahimbekar, founder of SVRSS, a rescue group
The first thing to think of before any trek is safety. Gear up well and always go with an experienced group, especially during the monsoon when the risk of mishaps is high
- Tanisha Hussain, from Trekkers of Maharashtra
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Fall to death': Video of Harihar fort over-congested with tourists goes viral; netizens warn of ‘suicide trap'
Image: X/@WokePandemic A video capturing a massive crowd on a weekend trek to Harihar Fort, considered one of India's most dangerous hiking trails, has gone viral on social media, sparking discussions over safety and regulation. The Harihar fort is located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra and is known for its unique rock-cut staircase and steep steps that ultimately lead to the summit. Even with the risk involved, the video captured hundreds of people on the trek, with some even clinging onto rocks, in a tightly packed trail leading to the fort. People were seen sitting on the edge, risking a fatal fall. Harihar fort is built on a rock shaped like a triangular prism. Two of its edges and all three sides are straight up at 90 degrees, while the third edge on the west slopes at a steep 75-degree angle. A very narrow, one-meter-wide staircase is carved into the rock with 117 steps in total. 'Another major incident waiting to happen..? Harihar Fort weekend crowd surge is death trap!! This needs to be stopped/moderated else. One minor stampede or someone loosing balance and it will have cascading effect and hundreds will fall to there death.', by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Livguard Lithium-X: The Future of Power Backup Livguard Learn More Undo the post on X said. The video has garnered over 900,000 views, with netizens voicing out their concerns over safety and regulations in place about such a congested trekking trail. A user commented 'Are people mad or what! Why do they have to visit such crowded places? This is a disaster waiting to happen. And administration should restrict the number of people that can visit the first at one time'. 'That is madness without proper regulation or order in such places. Adventure without safety provisions are suicide trap nothing else', said another use. Questioning how the situation came to be like this, another user commented 'Forest department Nasik controls it, it charges fees. It was decided that only 300 tourists per day will be allowed,not followed by them. Now I after seeing this video last week, they have curtailed tourists. Don't know what action is taken on errant officials'. The situation has reignited a debate on how India is equipped to deal with an ever-increasing tourist footfall with the shadow of the deadly Bangalore stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured over 30 others, still fresh in the public memory.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia gives 30 days to exit on expired visit visas in Hijri New Year initiative; Here's how to apply
To mark the start of the Islamic New Year, Saudi Arabia 's General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has launched a new initiative that will allow individuals with expired visit visas to apply for an extension to make their final exit. Starting from Muharram 1, 1447 AH (corresponding to June 27, 2025), the initiative offers a 30-day grace period during which eligible individuals can regularize their status and leave the Kingdom legally. According to the directorate's statement, the extension applies to all types and names of expired visit visas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo To use the facility, applicants must pay the prescribed fees and penalties in accordance with existing regulations. The extension requests must be submitted via the Tawasul service available on the Ministry of Interior's Absher electronic platform. This comes after this month's earlier update, in which Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reminded all pilgrims to leave the Kingdom before their Hajj visas expire. Live Events The ministry said that leaving on time is not only a legal requirement but also a gesture of respect for the Kingdom's rules and the sacred nature of the pilgrimage. FAQs Is a Saudi Arabia visa free for Indians? Saudi Arabia is not visa-free for Indians; Indian citizens must obtain a visa before travel, either through an e-visa, an embassy, or a visa center. Can I get a Saudi visa in 2 days? Yes, you can get a Saudi visa in 2 days via expedited or urgent e-visa services, which typically process within 12-72 hours, depending on application completeness and demand. How to apply for a Saudi visa online? To apply for a Saudi visa online, visit the official Saudi visa application website, fill out the form with accurate details, upload required documents, pay the fee online, and wait for approval via email.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Air India aircraft cleared after alert triggers security checks
An Air India aircraft was cleared for operations on Friday after it underwent standard security checks following a non-specific alert, the airline said in a statement, reported Moneycontrol. 'A non-specific security alert was detected on one of our aircraft. Standard security procedures were duly carried out, and the aircraft has been cleared for the next flight,' an Air India spokesperson said, adding, 'Air India accords top priority to the safety and security of its passengers and crew.' The airline did not disclose details such as the route, the number of passengers, or the timing of the incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is It Possible to Get a Flatter Tummy After 50—And How? Lulutox Separately, a Bangkok-bound Air India flight from Mumbai was held back for over five hours on June 25 after hay was found stuck in one of the aircraft's wings. 'This was immediately attended to, and the aircraft was subsequently cleared for operation,' the airline said. While Air India did not confirm specifics, flight-tracking website showed that flight AI 2354, operated by an Airbus A320Neo, was scheduled to depart Mumbai at 7:45 am and took off only around 1 pm. Live Events In another incident earlier this week, an Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Dubai was cancelled on Monday after the pilot reported a technical glitch before take-off. The aircraft, a 189-seater Boeing 737 Max, was scheduled to depart at 6:35 am but returned from the runway after the snag was detected. 'While it was on the runway, a technical snag came to the notice of the pilot, following which the take off was aborted,' an airport official said. The flight was subsequently cancelled after technical checks were carried out.
