Ghat roads damaged by cyclone and power disruptions affect tourist arrivals in Kodaikanal

Although it is currently the off-season, government officials said prior to the cyclone there had been a steady flow of tourists. “However, Gaja has affected the arrivals to a considerable extent. Heavy vehicles were restricted from plying on the Batlagundu-Kodaikanal road. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation did not allow boating and cycling,” District Tourism Officer T Uma Devi said.

Sources said several hotels and lodges are forced to rely on generators as power supply has been restored to only around 30 per cent of the affected areas.

When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer (Tangedco) S Mathew said restoring power supply in remote areas of the hilly terrain has been a challenge for the EB personnel. “Of the 200 damaged electric poles in Kodaikanal urban area, 100 poles were replaced, while another 50 have been set right. We have repaired 183 of the total 283 transformers damaged in the cyclone till now,” he said, adding that the restoration works would be completed in three or four days

Another aspect affecting tourism is the road link, which was cut-off following landslides and felling of trees. According to Assistant Director of Highways R T Vijayakumar, around 50 personnel were engaged in restoring vehicular traffic on the landslide-hit roads. Rocks fell at two locations on the Palani –Kodaikanal road following the rains, but they were immediately removed.

“The Twelve Mile road, which provides access to several tourist spots such as Guna cave, suicide point, Coakers walk and Moir point, was blocked due to the uprooted trees. It would take two more days to clear the road in Melmalai,” Vijayakumar said, warning that restoration efforts will be hampered in the event of further rainfall.

District Forest Officer S N Thejasvi said the cyclone has taken a heavy toll on the green cover in both Kodaikanal and Perumpallam forest ranges. “Most of the eucalyptus and pine trees were uprooted following the gale winds. A team is currently enumerating the number of trees lost. The task is likely to be over in a week’s time,” he said.