Tourism Hits Low In The South Due To Kerala Floods

Idukki has been hit by floods really hard. Lives of people here are slowing coming back to normalcy but major tourist spots here are facing a major shortage even as it is the Neelakurinji flowering season in Munnar. The state government and tourist department has made major preparation to welcome tourists in the hill station. The Neelakurinji bloom happens just once in every 12 years and this was the year of its flowering. But the heavy rains and landslides have delayed it. Some of the main roads and bridges have also been destroyed due to floods. This has also led to some of the resorts and homestays terminating some of their staff members.

First, it was the Nipah virus and now the floods have caused a total loss of Rs.5 crore per day for 600 hotels and resorts in Munnar. Some of the major highways like Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway and Munnar-Udumalpet National Highway have been destroyed due to mudslides and landslides.

The Neelakurinji blooming season is also at stake. It was expected that the flowering season will start by July second week and will continue for the next three months from then. But now they have predicted that the season will start by the first week of September. The flowering needs at least 10 days of sunshine which is becoming difficult due to rains.

The government should take immediate steps to build roads and resume traffic if the tourism in the country has to sustain this year as well.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-floods-tourism-hit-even-munnar-waits-neelakurinji-bloom-87239