With heavy rains pounding Kerala and water levels of waterbodies rising, the Athirappilly waterfall, a tourist hotspot in Athirappilly, Thrissur district, has been closed for tourism. According to reports, there was a sudden surge in the waterfall on Tuesday, leading to a ban on tourist entry to the spot.
Tourism at Athirappilly-Vazhachal was also shut down and the route through Athirappilly and Malackappara were closed for vehicles. Tourists are also not allowed entry at the Charppa waterfalls, which is close to Athirappilly.
Manorama reports that the forest department has decided to have these restrictions in place until the strength of water comes down.
Last month, tourism at Athirappilly waterfalls experienced a temporary low after fake images of the waterfalls swelling to dangerous proportions were circulated.
Monsoons in Kerala began on May 29 this year and has continued to wreak havoc in various districts.
The monsoon has claimed 90 lives in the state so far and 27,000 people have sought shelter in relief camps since the onset of the south-west monsoon.
The state cabinet, which convened on July 18, decided to provide Rs 1,000 as a one-time aide to families put up in the relief camps.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government announced an Orange Alert along the banks of Periyar river, with the water levels in the Idukki dam rising to 2395 feet on Monday night. Rescue and relief teams have been deployed in both Idukki and Ernakulam districts to take over in the event of the shutters of the dam being opened.
An Orange Alert has also been announced at the Kakki Dam in Pathanamthitta after it crossed 980 metres as against its capacity of 981.46 metres. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has announced that the Malampuzha Dam will be opened on Wednesday.
Mathrubhumi also reports that the Kakkayam Dam in Kozhikode will be opened if the water level rises to full capacity.