Heavy rain in Wayanad: Tourist properties in 10 panchayats closed, Banasura Sagar dam shutters to be raised further | Onmanorama News

Kalpetta/Wayanad: As Wayanad is experiencing continuous heavy rain, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has ordered the temporary closure of all tourist properties — including resorts and homestays — in ten landslide-prone panchayats. These include Vellamunda, Thavinjal, Thirunelli, and Thondarnadu in Mananthavady taluk, and Padinjarethara, Pozhuthana, Thariode, Meppadi, Vythiri, and Mooppainadu in Vythiri taluk.

Entry to the landslide-affected wards 11, 12, and 13 of Mundakkai-Chooralmala in Meppadi panchayat, including designated ‘No Go Zones’, has also been prohibited until further notice. The DDMA has instructed local body secretaries and the District Police Chief to ensure that the closure order is being strictly followed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Wayanad under an orange alert for Saturday, forecasting very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm. A yellow alert, indicating rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm, will be in effect on Sunday and Monday.

Arun Peter, hazard analyst at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and the officer in charge of Wayanad, said the measures were precautionary. “These steps are part of preparedness efforts as the region has already received significant rainfall, and more is expected,” he said.

However, the tourism sector has expressed concern over the blanket nature of the order. In a message to District Collector Dr R Meghasree, who also chairs the DDMA, the tourism fraternity urged authorities to reconsider the directive. “While we respect the intent behind the decision, we object to the sweeping nature of the order. Several resorts operate in geographically stable areas,” the statement read. The group added that sudden cancellations affect pre-booked guests and could harm Wayanad’s image as a dependable travel destination.

Environmental expert C K Vishnudas, Director of the Hume’s Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, defended the move, stating it was essential to ensure no tourists are caught in potential disasters. “These are precautionary measures in view of continued rainfall. Based on Hume’s data, many of these areas are nearing the landslide threshold,” he said.

Banasura Sagar dam: Shutters to be raised further
Meanwhile, with water inflow into the Banasura Sagar Dam increasing due to heavy rain in its catchment area, authorities have decided to raise the spillway shutters to 75 cm at 8 am on Sunday, the Dam Safety Authority said in a press release.

Currently, the shutters are open to 60 cm, releasing 48.8 cubic meters of water per second. Once raised further, the outflow will reach 61 cubic meters per second. Residents along the downstream areas — including the banks of Karamanthodu and Panamarampuzha rivers — have been urged to remain vigilant.

According to DDMA data, the Western Ghat regions forming the dam’s catchment area — including Padinjarethara, Pozhuthana, Thondarnadu, and Vythiri — have received heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours.

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