Forest Department is making arrangements to reopen popular tourist spot Kovai Courtallam for visitors on Tuesday after a gap of around two months.
The waterfall was closed, considering the safety of visitors, due to heavy inflow of water during the last week of June.
Pooluvampatti Forest Range Officer C. Palaniraja said that Forest Department staff and workers are repairing damages caused at the tourist spot due to incessant showers received in Siruvani and catchment areas from June.
“Barricades and railings damaged in the rain have been repaired. Sand bags have been laid near the plunge pool for the safety of visitors. The waterfall will remain closed on Monday as usual and will be open for visitors from Tuesday,” said Mr. Palaniraja.
Staff and workers have also removed boulders that had come from top portions of the waterfall. Apart from damages caused at the waterfall and eco-tourism centre, tree falls due to strong winds en route to the place forced Forest Department to restrict visitors throughout July.
Though the tourist spot will be opened on Tuesday, visitors may not be permitted to take bath right below the waterfall as the inflow is still heavy due to showers received on Kerala side. However, visitors will be allowed in controlled areas of the plunge pool and other parts of the eco-tourism centre.
Kovai Courtallam is one of the revenue generating tourism centres of Forest Department, attracting 1,500 to 2,000 visitors on weekends and 200 to 400 people during weekdays.
