In the early hours of Friday, water discharge into Hogenakkal Falls rose to 9,500 cusecs, climbed to 14,000 cusecs by 9 am, and escalated to 19,000 cusecs by late evening. This increase stemmed from considerable releases from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dams, where recent monsoon rains have swollen reservoir levels. The swift rise in water levels raised safety concerns, prompting authorities to stay on high alert and closely monitor the situation. The heavy inflow also impacted nearby areas, increasing the risk of localised flooding.
Flood Alert At Hogenakkal Falls, Issued As Water Levels Jump
Following the surge in water inflow, Dharmapuri’s collector promptly declared a flood alert and banned all tourism activities at Hogenakkal Falls. Local authorities confirmed that upstream dams released around 25,000 cusecs of water on Friday, with more expected the next day. Although the falls can reportedly manage inflows exceeding 350,000 cusecs, officials stressed that the exceptional rise posed a serious safety risk.
Tourists Told To Steer Clear At Hogenakkal Falls
As reported by the New Indian Express, departments including fire, police, revenue, and forestry intensified monitoring and safety measures across the region. Visitors are being actively discouraged from approaching riverbanks, and coracle rides have been halted entirely. The ban remains in place until the water inflow subsides, which officials expect once rainfall upstream ceases.
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Authorities Maintain A Vigilant Watch
District officials say that additional releases from Kabini and KRS dams could push inflow even higher this weekend. They emphasised that teams from fire, water resources, police, and revenue departments continue to monitor the river closely. Tour operators and local communities have been alerted to stay on standby and respond swiftly if conditions deteriorate.
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With the monsoon season underway and upstream reservoirs continuing to release water, officials urge the public to remain cautious. Until conditions stabilise, the suspension of tourism at Hogenakkal Falls will stay in effect to ensure public safety. Visitors are advised to follow updates from local authorities and avoid travel to the region for the time being. Local transport services and vendors in the area have also been affected, with businesses temporarily halting operations. Authorities continue to assess the situation and will lift restrictions only when the water flow reduces to safe levels.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikipedia/Mithun Kundu