Chennai, Oct 20 – Heavy rains from the northeast monsoon are still pounding Tamil Nadu, flooding low‑lying districts and pushing rivers over their banks. The storm has turned the famous Courtallam waterfalls into a roaring, dangerous torrent, prompting authorities to keep the bathing ban in place for a fifth straight day.
Flooding has hit towns across southern Tamil Nadu. In Tenkasi, the rain has swollen the Courtallam falls into a dramatic but perilous rush. Streams in the Western Ghats now run full, turning places like Main Falls, Five Falls, Old Courtallam, Chitraruvi, and Puliyaruvi into powerful chutes of water. The constant rush and overflow of barriers mean that visitors are no longer allowed to bathe, a rule that began last Thursday and is now on its fifth day.
Many tourists, including non‑resident Indians returning for the Deepavali holidays, were disappointed when they found the falls closed. “The water flow is too high and unpredictable. Once the level recedes, the waterfalls will reopen for tourists under police supervision”, said a senior police officer at Courtallam.
The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up its response. The State Disaster Management Authority has placed rescue teams on standby and told district collectors to keep relief centres fully ready. In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation is adding more shelters to prepare for the coming heavy rains.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the monsoon that began on October 16 should strengthen this week. Expect heavy‑to‑very heavy rainfall in Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, Madurai and the Nilgiris. Fishermen have been warned not to go out to sea because rough seas are predicted in the Gulf of Mannar and adjacent Comorin waters.
The Courtallam falls now look like a fierce waterfall, but tourists are kept away until the weather eases. The local authorities promise the site will reopen safely once the monsoon subsides and the flow calms.
Source: ianslive
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