Ooty’s Avalanche to open for tourists soon

If things realise as planned, the tourists will be allowed to Avalanche Lake in a day or two.

The Avalanche has been out of bounds for tourists for over the last seven months following the unprecedented rainfall wrecking havoc in the hill station. This part of the region in The Nilgiris received over 900 mm of rain on a single day in the first week of August last year, the highest in Tamil Nadu’s history.  

Before that, the highest recorded in the state was in Cuddalore in 1943, when 570 mm of rain was recorded on a single day. Torrential rains then triggered multiple landslides leaving about five persons dead and displaced thousands in different parts of the hill district.  

Tourists were not allowed so far as access roads were damaged severely. “For the last seven months, we have stopped all tourist activities due to heavy damage following incessant rains. Repair works were undertaken and had got over to an extent. Most likely, Avalanche will be thrown open for tourists from Monday,” said D Guruswamy, District Forest Officer (DFO).   

However, with renovation works yet to get over, tourists will be allowed only till the base of Avalanche. “Tourists will be allowed only to the lake and it will be part of an eco-tourism initiative of the Forest Department. Our initiative will help in providing livelihood to the tribal people,” he added.  

Earlier, during the season time, Avalanche, located about 28 km from Ooty town, is one of the favourite tourist spots. Thousands of people flock to the lake to enjoy the gorgeous scenery in its full glory.

However, the number of tourists may well be less once Avalanche opens up now as the Forest Department will continue to bar tourists from visiting the popular viewpoint.

“Still, there are no proper roads to reach the Avalanche viewpoint. Repair works are yet to be taken up on the stretch and funds have been sought from the government. It may cost in crores to take up repair works. Later, once the entire way gets ready, tourists can start to visit the viewpoint also. But, it may take some time,” said Guruswamy.  

Surmising the intensity of the damage, the official said that over 70 landslips occurred at a stretch of about 12 km from the lake to the viewpoint in Avalanche during heavy rains last year.  

The tourism sector is expected to get a big boost once when Avalanche is thrown open for public ahead of the April and May peak season. 

“Avalanche will definitely be a crowd-puller being a preferred destination for both tourists and trekkers. Even the corona outbreak has not affected the arrival of international tourists as at least 10 persons visit Ooty from abroad on a daily basis. This December and January witnessed a steady tourist flow to the hill region. Concrete efforts have been taken to promote tourism in the hills,” said Abarajithan Verman, District Tourism Officer, The Nilgiris.  

“Avalanche Lake is a perfect getaway from the bustling traffic. I used to make solo trips in my bike once in a while to the destination to photograph the wide varieties of flower bloomed all around the lake, its natural landscape and adorable views. I am eagerly waiting to make a trip,” said S Muthurathinam, a nature photographer from Coimbatore district.  

The Forest Department has fixed a minimal fare of Rs 10 for the tourists visitingthe lake.