The forest department has barred tourists from bathing at Manimutharu Falls and the Thalaiyanai check-dam in Tirunelveli district after continuous rainfall in the surrounding hills caused water flow to rise, with officials warning that conditions could change suddenly.
The restriction applies to the Thalaiyanai eco-tourism site in Kalakkad, where visitors commonly bathe in water overflowing from the check-dam. The site has also been closed to tourists until further notice as a precaution, according to the forest department.
Officials said continued rainfall in the upper reaches could trigger a sudden increase in water flow and create a threat to visitors. The restriction was imposed on the orders of the deputy director and wildlife warden of Kalakkad, who have jurisdiction over the Thalaiyanai site in the Kalakkad forest range of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
The decision highlights the operational challenge faced by authorities managing visitor access to natural water attractions during periods of intense or sustained rainfall. Unlike engineered recreational facilities, falls and check-dams can experience rapid changes in water level and current strength even when conditions at the visitor point appear manageable.
At Manimutharu Falls, the forest department has imposed a temporary bathing ban but continues to allow tourists to visit and observe the increased water flow from a safe distance. The department has advised visitors to comply with the restrictions and follow safety instructions until the water returns to safe levels.
The two sites are popular destinations in and around the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai landscape, where visitor activity takes place alongside the management of a protected forest area. The current restrictions separate sightseeing from direct contact with the water, allowing access at Manimutharu Falls while limiting activities considered more exposed to changing flow conditions.
The forest department has not announced when bathing or access to the Thalaiyanai eco-tourism site will resume. Visitors have been directed to follow departmental instructions while the rainfall and water-flow conditions remain under observation.
