No boating in Thekkady for a week

Water level falls below 109 ft, which is the safe level for boat journey

The water level at Thekkady lake has dipped below 109 ft.

Boating service in the Thekkady lake has been banned after the water level fell below 109 feet, which is deemed safe for boat journey. Boating was banned for a week from Sunday, said an official of the Forest Department.

The water level on Monday was 108.7 ft. Tamil Nadu was drawing water at 200 cusecs after the water level reached 112 ft. An official of the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department said water was being released only for meeting drinking water needs.

TN’s requirement

The failure of both the southwest and northeast monsoons resulted in poor storage of water in the reservoir.

The water is being used for meeting the irrigation and drinking water needs of four districts in Tamil Nadu. The official said large areas of paddy fields in the Cumbom Valley were being kept fallow this season due to poor water supply.

The large boats owned by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Forest Department stopped services after the water level touched 110 ft. When the water level falls, the boats conduct services through other channels to avoid hitting tree stumps on the lake. The boat landing stations are moved to different locations.

Boating services are rarely cancelled in Thekkady lake. In 2009, it was banned for a few months after a boat capsize. This is only a temporary ban and services would resume once the water level reaches the ‘safe for journey’ level, said the official.