Kodagu district administration bans ‘disaster tourism’

There are areas within Madikeri town that bore the brunt of nature’s fury, but remain accessible.

The Kodagu district administration has ordered a crackdown on ‘disaster tourism’ as a large number of people are visiting the flood and landslip-hit areas following the recent natural calamity.

Earlier this month, the district administration had directed all hotels, homestays and resorts in Kodagu not to accept bookings till August 31 in the interest of tourists. This followed incessant rains from the second week of August which culminated in landslips and floods that so far claimed 20 lives.

The ban on hotel bookings worked till last week when the link to Madikeri from Mysuru and Kushalnagar was cut off and numerous landslips cut off road connectivity within the district. However, there has been respite from the rains over the past few days and for the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, the district received 1.94 mm of rainfall. Places like Bhagamandala which received in excess of 180 to 200 mm of rainfall per day during the second week of August, received 2 mm of rainfall on Sunday which is a pointer to the gradual receding of rainfall in the district.

This respite has spanned a kind of new tourism as many curious people – both locals and outsiders – are visiting some of the disaster-hit areas in and around Madikeri. While some of the worst affected areas like Jodapala, Madenada or Hattihole are not easily accessible, there are areas within Madikeri town that bore the brunt of nature’s fury and suffered damage but remain accessible.

Local officials aver that the presence of people in large numbers is an impediment to the free movement of relief as existing narrow roads tend to be choked with vehicles and people taking photographs of the affected regions.

A release state that authorities have taken note of the presence of a large number of people including tourists in badly hit areas and have issued fresh directives to hotels, resorts and homestays not to entertain visitors till August 31.

Srividya, Deputy Commissioner, Kodagu, also warned of legal action and prosecution if hotels, resorts and homestays are found violating the directive and continue to ferry people to disaster-affected areas or other places of interest. The ban is in force in visitors interest as their movement in landslip-affected areas could jeopardize their lives, the release added.