The Forest Department has temporarily suspended eco-tourism activities at Kovai Kutralam from August 25, following heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats that triggered a sudden rise in water flow at the waterfalls. The precautionary closure has been imposed to ensure visitor safety, with tourist entry to resume only after the water flow subsides and the area is declared safe.
Coimbatore: The Kovai Kutralam Eco-Tourism destination will remain temporarily closed to visitors from August 26 until further notice, following a sharp rise in water flow at the waterfalls triggered by heavy rainfall in the Siruvani hills of the Western Ghats.
Although rainfall had remained relatively sparse across much of the Western Ghats and its catchment areas over the past week, precipitation intensified significantly in the Siruvani ghat region in recent days. The increased rainfall has led to a substantial rise in inflow to the waterfalls, prompting the Forest Department to suspend visitor entry as a precautionary measure.
More than 30 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the foothill areas, while 26 mm has been recorded in the Siruvani Farm catchment areas. As a result, the water level has risen by more than a foot compared to last week and currently stands at 27.35 feet, against the full capacity of 49.53 feet.
In an advisory, the Boluvampatti Forest Range Officer said the eco-tourism destination would remain closed until the water flow subsides and conditions return to normal. Tourist entry will be permitted only after the area is inspected and declared safe by the Forest Department.
The temporary closure has disappointed several tourists who had planned to visit Kovai Kutralam on August 26, with many forced to cancel or postpone their trips following the announcement.
The Forest Department has advised tourists not to attempt to enter the area during the closure and to wait for an official announcement before planning their visit.
Although rainfall had remained relatively sparse across much of the Western Ghats and its catchment areas over the past week, precipitation intensified significantly in the Siruvani ghat region in recent days. The increased rainfall has led to a substantial rise in inflow to the waterfalls, prompting the Forest Department to suspend visitor entry as a precautionary measure.
More than 30 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the foothill areas, while 26 mm has been recorded in the Siruvani Farm catchment areas. As a result, the water level has risen by more than a foot compared to last week and currently stands at 27.35 feet, against the full capacity of 49.53 feet.
In an advisory, the Boluvampatti Forest Range Officer said the eco-tourism destination would remain closed until the water flow subsides and conditions return to normal. Tourist entry will be permitted only after the area is inspected and declared safe by the Forest Department.
The temporary closure has disappointed several tourists who had planned to visit Kovai Kutralam on August 26, with many forced to cancel or postpone their trips following the announcement.
The Forest Department has advised tourists not to attempt to enter the area during the closure and to wait for an official announcement before planning their visit.