10 Safety Tips for Monsoon Travel 

The monsoon season is looked forward to by many. The gushing downpours are loved by some, yet loathed by others. However, the monsoon season certainly witnesses an influx of people, getting out, exploring, wandering and experiencing the best of the season. Tourists flock to the hill stations, locals head over to the beaches, and city-dwellers head over to the nearest chai stall to relish a piping hot cuppa. The rainy season is romantic, tempting and perfect for a wanderer looking to escape the mundane. 

Although the season brings out the best and worst; whilst the cities are cloaked in the serene landscapes, aromatic petrichor and green verdancy, they are also brimming with potholes, uneven roads, landslides and more. Travelling during the rainy season, although extremely enticing, comes with its set of challenges. The pouring showers certainly make for stunning landscapes, however, maneuvring through the rains whilst travelling can be tricky. If you are in the process of planning a trip or have already planned one, here are a few monsoon travel tips in mind whilst travelling during the monsoon season in India. 

Here’s your quick guide to the most important monsoon travel tips

• Constantly check for the weather forecast
• Carry all kinds of essentials for your trip during the monsoon season 
• Waterproof your electronic devices
• Places to avoid during the monsoon season in India
•  Give your vehicle a thorough check
• Drive slowly and steadily
• Map out your entire trip and time it
• Avoid being too adventurous and off-roading 
• Minimize the intake of street food during the rains 
• Carry an emergency kit 

Constantly check for the weather forecast

The monsoon season in India is absolutely unpredictable. One minute, it could be sunny, the other it could be raining cats and dogs. Hence, the first monsoon travel tip is to install a weather forecast app to help you keep tabs on the temperatures of the destination you plan on visiting and plan your trip accordingly. Keeping a tab on the weather is especially important when you are planning on embarking on a road trip. More often than not, a lot of hill stations witness landslides and harsh weather conditions, hence it is always better to be safe than sorry. 

Carry all kinds of essentials for your trip during the monsoon season

The most obvious monsoon travel tip. Whilst packing up for your trip away this monsoon season, we recommend loading up on the monsoon essentials to ensure you are prepared for any and all situations. In addition to your regular necessities that your backpack would include, it is suggested to carry more of synthetic clothes rather than regular ones. The latter takes a longer time to dry, while also leaving an unpleasant stench behind. Synthetic clothes dry easily, making them easy to carry as well. Along with this, make sure to carry umbrellas, and raincoats, especially if you are planning to go on treks and trails. Make sure to pack a medical kit with all the necessary medicines and mosquito repellents. The rain generally tends to draw out insects and bugs.

Waterproof your electronic devices

Travelling during the monsoon season means making way for unwelcomed showers, navigating through tricky roads and getting drenched in the rains. And if you are planning on taking a road trip, embarking on the much-coveted treks and trails, you are bound to be out and about. Hence, it is always advisable to safe keep all your electronic gadgets and devices in plastic bags. Given the increased usage and our dependency on our handheld devices, it is always better to keep them protected rather than risk them stop working on the road. Be it cameras, laptops, tabs or mobile phones, make sure you safeguard your devices well!

Places to avoid during the monsoon season in India

The gurgling downpours certainly bring out the best of nature. Soaring peaks cloaked in lush greenery and the earth engulfed in the fragrant petrichor, the season sure does have an alluring charm to it. However, monsoons and travel certainly don’t go hand in hand. With rains taking over the country, your travel plans can very well be interrupted. Thus during the monsoon season, it is advisable to avoid the Northeast belt, as it is the wettest region in the world. Along with this, Goa and Mumbai also face the wrath of the rains, making the cities dirty, mucky and almost icky. Goa witnesses high tides and wet sands, making its beaches almost inaccessible. A few hill stations in North are also prone to landslides, mudslides and more. 

Give your vehicle a thorough check

If you are planning on taking your bucket-list-worthy monsoon road trip that takes you through the winding ghats, dark tunnels, marshy roads and inescapable views, then you must get your vehicle checked! Be it a 2-wheeler, 4-wheeler or 6-wheeler, the monsoon season brings along steady traffic, slippery slopes and roads that are a nightmare to drive on. Book a service appointment for your vehicle before you start your journey. Make sure your tires, windshield wipers, headlights and brakes are in the best condition. Don’t forget to carry a spare tire, just in case. 

Drive slowly and steadily 

The ever famous saying – Slow and steady wins the race – certainly applies when you are road tripping during the rains. Loads of tourists and locals alike venture out and explore the nearby towns and hill stations, as the weather is pleasant and the ride is scenic. Well, that is true, however, always bear in mind to drive slowly, especially uphill and downhill. Maintain a safe distance, especially if you are traversing through the difficult terrains that are prone to accidents. 

Map out your entire trip and time it

If travelling by road, make sure to map the entire trip well in advance. Break down the timings, the amount of breaks and pit stops you would need in between. Once that is locked in, decide where exactly you want to stop as well. Decide a time for departure, and try not to sway to away from it. The purpose of this is to avoid driving at night, especially during the monsoon season. 

Avoid being too adventurous and off-roading

All adventure junkies thrive on the adrenaline that comes with being a thorough rebel and going out of the way to not stick by the rules. However, this will not work in your favour, especially during the monsoon season. The rainy season in India has its fair share of challenges and banes, making it notoriously known for its bad roads and worse weather conditions. In such cases, especially on the hills and otherwise, it is recommended that you drive only on paved roads, as much as possible. Avoid taking the unexplored route, however intriguing or fun that might be. There are not only chances that you might get lost, but also of your vehicle getting stuck on mucky roads. 

Minimize the intake of street food during the rains 

As mouthwatering and enticing as the local cuisine and street food is, it is best to avoid it during the rains. When visiting a new place, trying out the local cuisine is extremely tempting, however during the monsoon season, ensure you avoid the local street vendors as much as possible. 

Carry an emergency kit

And the last monsoon travel tip is to make a designated emergency kit that could include all the possible items, incase you are stuck or in need. The following items are recommended to be a part of the kit – 

• Foldable raincoats and umbrellas 
• A waterproof flashlight 
• Paracetomols and any other necessary medicines 
• Mosquito repellent cream or a roll-on 
• Power banks 
• An extra pair of clothes 
• Bottles of water 

Safety always comes first, hence ensure you are always safe whilst experiencing the best of monsoon!