Kothamangalam: The leisure boating service at major tourist destinations like Boothathankettu and Thattekad have been halted temporarily after the floodgates of the Bhothathankettu dam were opened following heavy rain.
The kayaking adventure tour operated by a private agency near the hanging bridge in Injathotti too has been shut down due to low water levels in the Periyar. The colorful kayaks which were once seen dancing over the waves in the Periyar have been moved to the sheds. These boating services were, in fact, the most significant features at the tourist destinations which attracted lots of visitors every year.
The number of tourists visiting the area has dropped severely after the various boating operations got cancelled. Now, only a few visitors come here on holidays, as part of monsoon tourism. The boats will not operate for the next six months, until the shutters of the dam are closed. The shutters of the dam will at least be closed partially when the canals in Periyar valley need to be filled during extreme summer.
