The mountains of Himachal Pradesh are usually a traveler’s dream during late summer and early autumn. Green valleys, apple orchards, misty landscapes, and spiritual treks draw lakhs of tourists every year. But September 2025 has brought with it an unfortunate reality: the Himachal government has officially declared the entire state “disaster-affected” as of September 1, 2025 due to relentless monsoon destruction. With floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructural damage, travel across Himachal has become not just difficult but in many areas, unsafe.
This blog brings you the latest monsoon travel update on Himachal Pradesh—covering road closures, trek and pilgrimage status, and essential safety advice if you were planning a trip this week.
Himachal Declared a Disaster State
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced in the state assembly that the devastation caused by this year’s monsoon is unprecedented. The losses are pegged at over ₹3,000 crore, and more than 341 lives have been lost due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. The declaration under the Disaster Management Act means that relief and restoration work is being prioritized on a war footing (Times of India).
For travelers, this declaration is a strong warning: avoid non-essential travel to Himachal Pradesh until conditions improve.
Road Conditions: Highways and Connectivity
Road connectivity has been the hardest hit in this disaster. As of this week:
- More than 1,150 roads are blocked, including key arteries like the Chandigarh–Manali highway, the Manali–Atal Tunnel road, and sections of NH-5.
- The Kiratpur–Manali highway, one of the most important routes for tourism and trade, has witnessed over 25 landslides since June. Experts blame “unscientific widening” and lack of proper drainage for the repeated collapses (Times of India).
- Rural roads connecting villages in Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba are completely cut off, leaving residents and tourists stranded.
If you were planning a road trip to Manali, Dharamshala, or Shimla, be warned: long stretches are inaccessible, and travel could put your safety at risk.
Trekking and Adventure Travel: Suspended for Now
Himachal Pradesh is popular for treks like Triund, Kareri Lake, Bhrigu Lake, and Lamkhaga Pass. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall has destabilized trails, caused flash floods in rivers, and triggered frequent landslides in trekking zones.
- Most trekking routes are currently suspended or highly unsafe.
- Authorities and local guides are advising tourists to postpone their trekking plans until at least late October when conditions are expected to stabilize.
Even the relatively easy Triund trek near McLeodganj has seen trail blockages and heavy rainfall damage. Adventure tourism is at a standstill this week.
Pilgrimages: Manimahesh Yatra Halted
Himachal is also home to spiritual journeys such as the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district. This year, tragedy struck when landslides during the pilgrimage caused 16 deaths, forcing authorities to suspend the yatra and airlift thousands of stranded devotees using army helicopters (TOI).
Other pilgrimage routes like Machail Mata in Jammu & Kashmir and local temple treks in Kangra are also disrupted due to the extreme weather.
Relief Efforts by the Government
CM Sukhu has instructed immediate relief operations, including:
- Helicopter evacuations for stranded tourists and pilgrims in Chamba and Kullu.
- Priority restoration of electricity, water supply, and roads in apple-producing regions.
- Mobilization of the SDRF, NDRF, and Indian Air Force to carry out rescues.
Despite these efforts, the sheer scale of the disaster means normalcy will take weeks to return.
Safety Advice for Travelers This Week
If you had booked tickets to Himachal for early September 2025, here are some crucial tips:
- Postpone your trip — It is simply not safe to travel right now.
- Follow advisories — Check IMD alerts and Himachal government disaster bulletins before making new plans.
- Avoid treks and pilgrimages — Trails are unsafe and yatras suspended.
- Stay connected — If already in Himachal, keep emergency helpline numbers handy.
Conclusion
The monsoon of 2025 has left Himachal reeling under one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory. With roads cut off, treks suspended, and pilgrimages halted, this is not the right week to travel. While Himachal will bounce back in time—as it always does—tourists should wait until official advisories declare it safe.
Travel can wait. Safety cannot.
This is truly a major natural disaster I sincerely pray to God for Himachal and its people to return to safety and normal life soon. Safety must always come first.