Hogenakkal Falls Reopens for Coracle Rides Amidst Decreasing Inflows; Bathing Still Restricted

Dharmapuri: As the Southwest monsoon continues to lash the Wayanad region of Kerala and the Cauvery catchment areas in Karnataka, the inflow into the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dams in Karnataka has significantly increased. Both reservoirs, now at full capacity, have been releasing surplus water into the Cauvery River for safety.

This overflow has caused the Cauvery to surge through the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border at Biligundulu, making its way to Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district. Two days ago, Hogenakkal recorded an inflow of 32,000 cusecs. However, with a reduction in surplus water discharge from the Karnataka dams, the inflow decreased to 24,000 cusecs by 6 PM yesterday. Despite the drop, the Main Falls, Cine Falls, and Five Falls at Hogenakkal continued to roar with a powerful flow.

Central Water Resources Department officials are continuously monitoring the Cauvery River’s inflow at Biligundulu, the interstate border. For the third consecutive day yesterday, a ban remained in place on bathing and coracle operations in the Hogenakkal Cauvery River.

In a recent development, as water levels began to subside, the flow of tourists to Hogenakkal started to increase. The district administration has now granted permission for tourists to enjoy coracle rides in the Cauvery River. However, authorities have clarified that tourists will only be permitted to bathe in the falls once the water inflow drops below 15,000 cusecs.