Visitors and thrill enthusiasts planning a trip to Rishikesh should know that the local government has stopped river rafting. This is because of the inflowing waters of Ganga River. The river level has already reached near critical levels prompting safety concerns and this precaution was taken as a result.
Why the Suspension?
Due to continuous rainfall in the upper Himalayan areas along with water release from upstream dams, authorities noted Ganga’s water level at 338 meters on June 25, 2025 which is dangerously close to the figure of 339 meters . Consequently, Tehri and Rishikesh areas are currently under severe alert.
Giving importance to public safety concerns and their proper maintenance, officials emphasize that during weak visibility conditions and strong swirling currents paired with muddy waters rife with silt present extreme danger for any adventure sports. In case of such an incident occurring, rescue operations would be nearly impossible.
What This Means for Tourists
Rishikesh is considered the white water rafting capital of India. Tourists from all over the world visit Rishikesh for river rafting. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances all rafting service providers have to suspend their services until further notice.
If you are planning on going on a rafting tour any time soon, it may be wise to contact local operators or the Uttarakhand tourism department before making any final arrangements. The authorities will only allow for rafting once water levels are back within safe limits.
Safety First
Though these policies may come off as inconvenience for many adventure seekers, this does limit the possibilities of accidents occurring. Tourists are asked to refrain from walking too close to river banks during peak fluctuating times such as early mornings and evenings.
The restrictions placed on river rafting in Rishikesh due to flood-like conditions of Ganga focuses bolstering caution however still remains ideal in place. As we’ve seen, it’s dramatically more important now brace ourselves for unpredictable weather.
