Intense Downpour in Tenkasi, Courtallam Falls Access Restricted
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Synopsis
Heavy rainfall continues to affect Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, leading to restrictions at Courtallam Falls. Tourists are prohibited from swimming due to flooding concerns, with forecasts indicating ongoing rain across multiple districts.
Key Takeaways
- Intense rainfall in Tenkasi district.
- Restrictions imposed at Courtallam Falls.
- Prohibition on swimming in main waterfalls.
- Fishermen advised to stay out of the sea.
- Above-average rainfall predicted until January 23.
Chennai, Jan 19 (NationPress) Intense rainfall has been impacting the Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu, prompting the district authorities to implement specific restrictions at the renowned Courtallam Falls.
Visitors are currently forbidden from swimming in the main waterfalls and Aintharuvi, also known as the Five Falls of Courtallam. These waterfalls, often referred to as Kuttalam Falls, are located in the Western Ghats, near the border with Kerala's Kollam district.
This area features a total of nine waterfalls, with Peraruvi, Aintharuvi, and Puli Aruvi being the most notable. It is a favored tourist destination, regularly drawing significant crowds. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) also manages a boating facility at a nearby boathouse during the peak tourist season.
However, the ongoing heavy rains since Saturday night have led to flooding, which in turn has significantly increased the water flow at Courtallam Falls, raising safety alarms.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has indicated that the rainfall is due to a low-level atmospheric circulation in the southwestern Bay of Bengal, just off the Tamil Nadu coast.
On Sunday, heavy rain is expected to impact several districts, including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, and Tenkasi.
The RMC has also warned of heavy rains in nine Tamil Nadu districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari.
Fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea due to precarious weather conditions. Wind speeds are predicted to be between 35-45 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 55 km/h along the southern Tamil Nadu coast, the Comorin area, and the nearby Gulf of Mannar for the next two days.
Weather officials have pointed out that the northeast monsoon, which commenced on October 1, has not yet fully receded from Tamil Nadu.
Coastal districts, including Chennai, can expect light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in the upcoming days. Elevated moisture levels in the sea and alterations in wind flow patterns are sustaining rainfall across the state.
The RMC has also forecasted above-average rainfall in Tamil Nadu until January 23. Maximum temperatures are anticipated to drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius below normal, ranging from 26 to 32 degrees from January 17 to 23.
Tamil Nadu reported a 14 percent surplus in rainfall during the northeast monsoon season, receiving 447 mm compared to the average of 393 mm. Chennai experienced 845 mm of rainfall, which is 16 percent above the average, while Coimbatore recorded a substantial 47 percent increase. The impact of Cyclone Fengal, which struck Tamil Nadu between November 29 and December 1, further influenced the state's rainfall statistics.
