A massive fire broke out at the Babeli rafting point in Kullu late Sunday night, destroying eight rafts and causing severe financial losses to local operators, estimated at around Rs 34 lakh. The incident occurred around midnight, alarming the region’s tourism community at the height of the peak season.
Fire reported via WhatsApp group
According to rafting operators, all activities had concluded by 6 pm, and the rafts were securely moored along the riverbank. The first alert came via a WhatsApp group message at approximately 12.09 am, after which operators and nearby residents rushed to the site. However, by the time they arrived, several rafts were already engulfed in flames.
Local residents and operators managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further to additional rafts and the surrounding area, but not before significant damage had already been done.
Financial impact on operators
The financial impact has been distributed among four main operators. Pappu Thakur, a resident of Raison, lost three rafts, suffering losses of about Rs 10 lakh. Raju from Babeli lost two rafts worth approximately Rs 6 lakh. Sher Singh from Maching also lost two rafts, incurring damages of around Rs 6 lakh, while Dalip Jamwal, also from Raison, lost one raft, amounting to a loss of nearly Rs 12 lakh. In total, the destruction of eight rafts is estimated at Rs 34 lakh, leaving operators devastated and facing major setbacks during the busy tourist season.
Cause under investigation
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Preliminary assessments suggest it may have started from a trash fire or the burning of dry leaves nearby, which then spread to the rafting area. The authorities have noted that no specific individual has been blamed so far, and there is no immediate indication of foul play. The investigation is focused on establishing the precise sequence of events.
Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal confirmed that a detailed investigation was underway. The incident has cast a shadow over the local tourism industry, highlighting the urgent need for stronger fire safety measures and stricter monitoring at vulnerable riverbank storage sites.
