Thekkady boating on brink as Mullaperiyar level drops to 110 feet

KUMILY: Intense summer heat has triggered a severe water crisis at the Mullaperiyar Dam, bringing tourism in Thekkady to a near standstill. As of today, the water level has dropped to 110 feet, forcing authorities to impose drastic restrictions on boating services due to safety hazards.

The receding waters have exposed dangerous earthen mounds and underwater tree stumps throughout the lake. To prevent boats from hitting these obstacles, the Forest Department and KTDC have slashed passenger capacities by more than half:

• Capacity Reduction: Large boats designed for 120 passengers are now limited to just 40.
• Booking Suspension: Online ticket booking has been completely deactivated.
• Tourist Impact: Visitors traveling from afar are being turned away at the counters due to a severe shortage of offline tickets, forcing many to return home without a trip.

The situation has reached a tipping point. If the water level drops just one more foot—to 109 feet—KTDC has confirmed that all boat services will be suspended indefinitely. While a temporary jetty is traditionally constructed two kilometers away from the current landing during low-water periods, locals and traders in Kumily have alleged significant delays by the Forest Department. Following recent protests, the department has announced that construction of a temporary jetty will begin shortly.

Economic blow to tourism and trade

The suspension of boat rides threatens the entire local economy. Thousands of workers, including those at home stays, resorts, and spice shops, face a looming financial crisis if the primary attraction of Thekkady remains inaccessible.

Setback for Tamil Nadu

The falling water levels have also hit neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

• Power Generation: Operations have already been temporarily halted due to insufficient pressure.
• Irrigation Crisis: If the level hits 104 feet, it will become physically impossible to transport water through the tunnel to Tamil Nadu. This poses a direct threat to farmers in five districts who rely on this water for agriculture.