"Terrifying Experience of an American Vlogger Stranded in Landslides of Himachal Pradesh"
Landslides and Monsoon Woes Hit Himachal Pradesh
Heavy monsoon rains have been causing havoc in Himachal Pradesh, India, leading to numerous landslides, road blockages, and infrastructure damage. The State Disaster Management Authority reported that 112 lives have been lost this season, with 96 lost in road accidents, and 208 lives in total[1].
One of the affected individuals is American travel vlogger, Drew Binsky, who shared a video on Instagram describing his dangerous situation caused by the landslides[2]. In the video, Binsky explains that he is stranded due to the landslides and the cars are blocked[3]. His video has received nearly 4.5 lakh views on Instagram, with some users sympathizing with him and praying for his swift evacuation[4].
The worst-hit areas include Mandi, with 240 road blockages and 300 disrupted power lines[1]. In Kullu, 99 roads are closed, including the National Highway 305, due to a landslide[1]. Nearly 400 roads, including one national highway, remain blocked[5]. The video shared by Binsky shows the river near his location, which is rainy and dangerous during the monsoon season[6].
The increased rainfall intensity and frequency have caused record numbers of landslides and flash floods, amplifying disaster risk. Certain districts (Shimla, Mandi, Kullu) have seen 40-70% more rainfall than average, intensifying hazards[4]. Travelers face risks of being stranded, experiencing accidents, or encountering abrupt landslides with little warning, especially as many landslide monitoring stations are out of service this season[5].
Authorities advise avoiding travel in vulnerable areas during heavy rains and staying alert to weather warnings. The ongoing monsoon has severely affected the entire state of Himachal Pradesh, making quick evacuation and rescue difficult due to blocked and damaged routes with ongoing rains and landslides[1].
Meanwhile, workers are trying to fix the landslides in the area where Binsky is stranded[3]. However, many users on Instagram are questioning why Binsky traveled to Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season[4]. Binsky himself mentions that he does not know how many days he will be stuck in the region[3].
The combination of heavy monsoon rains, fragile mountainous geography, road damages, and infrastructure disruption makes landslides in Himachal Pradesh a severe hazard for travelers during the monsoon season[1][3][5]. With over 700 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) down, the situation remains challenging for both travelers and locals[1].
[1] The Hindu [2] NDTV [3] India Today [4] The Quint [5] Outlook India [6] Hindustan Times
- travelers in Himachal Pradesh face risks such as being stranded, experiencing accidents, or encountering sudden landslides due to the increased rainfall and fragile mountainous geography.
- The ongoing general news of landslides and infrastructure damage in Himachal Pradesh has made quick evacuation and rescue difficult, especially in areas prone to landslides like Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla.
- Accidents, including car-accidents, have been a significant concern during the monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh, as travelers navigate through damaged roads and infrastructure.
- Adventure-travelers, like Drew Binsky, may find themselves in dangerous situations during the monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh, as they venture into affected areas and experience incidents like fires due to the increased risk of disaster.
