The Forest department will strengthen safety measures before reopening the Kumbhavurutty waterfalls, a major tourist spot on the Achencoil-Schencottah road.
The waterfalls were closed following the death of a tourist in flash floods in the area on July 31. A few tourists had also sustained injuries. Though more than 20 persons were washed away, all others were rescued.
While other tourism centres have been reopened, the entry to Kumbhavurutty is still banned, generating much resentment among the local residents. A part of the Manalar-Kumbhavurutty ecotourism project, the Kumbhavurutty waterfalls was reopened after a break of five years in July after extensive maintenance works. “The project provides livelihood for many residents and the authorities have closed it once again. We are losing precious days as the season will not last forever,” said a resident.
