Kodagu, a popular hill station near Bengaluru, is facing a major downturn in tourism this year due to heavy rains and landslides. This adverse weather has led to significant financial losses for local businesses.
Kodagu usually sees thousands of tourists during the monsoon season, drawn by its lush landscapes. However, this year, the number of visitors has dropped by over 50%. The tourism department reported a decrease from 1,50,000-2,00,000 tourists per month to significantly fewer visitors. Popular spots like the Dubare Elephant Camp and Abbey Falls are less frequented due to restricted access. Night traffic on the Madikeri-Mangaluru highway is also banned, leading to cancellations of bookings and accommodations.
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The heavy rains and landslides have severely impacted local businesses. Rohan Chinnappa, who runs Village World Homestay in Madikeri, mentioned that bookings have plummeted to less than 10% of usual numbers. Another hotel owner, N Bhaskar in Kushalnagar, noted that bookings are down to 25% this month, compared to 60-70% occupancy last year.
Residents are particularly anxious due to past landslide tragedies in 2018 and 2019 that affected thousands and caused over 20 deaths. The Kodagu district administration has taken steps to manage the situation by identifying 104 landslide-prone areas. Notices have been sent to nearly 3,000 families in these high-risk zones, advising them to relocate. Relief centers have been set up to accommodate displaced residents, with plans to establish more centers as needed.
Kodagu’s tourism industry is expected to face challenges for another month before conditions improve. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for possible evacuations based on future weather forecasts.
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