Tourist boat services to be resumed in Periyar dam

Periyar dam reported low water levels, which forced authorities to stop tourist boat services. The boat services have been resumed after the dam reportedly crossed crossed 111 feet. Incidentally, the Kerala government had never stopped the services even when the water levels were very low as it was the prime tourist attraction in Thekkady.

The Kerala State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is planning to resume operations of tourist boat services in Periyar dam in Thekkadi as water level in the dam crossed 111 feet. A team of officials from the KSTDC and the Forest department inspected the water levels in the dam and started operating both big and small boats. 

The services were suspended on May 27 as the lower level of water could hinder boat services as sand and tree trunks could be visible. Nevertheless, the boats ferrying officials to dams for maintenance work continued operating. Incidentally, the Kerala government had never stopped the services even when the water levels were very low as it was the prime tourist attraction in Thekkady. The KSTDC had earlier suspended boat services after a boat capsized on September 29, 2009 killing more than 32 tourists on board.

Officials had pinned their hopes on the heavy inflow since Wednesday morning and continuous rain in the dam site. Even though the bigger boats had been stopped from operation time and again, smaller ones were allowed now and then, however, with restricted capacity.