Tourist ban in Kodagu till August 31

Rescue-cum-relief operations are going on in full swing in Kodagu, which is reeling under rain havoc. In view of the rain fury, the Deputy Commissioner has banned entry and stay of tourists in Kodagu till August 31.

In a circular issued on Sunday, DC P I Sreevidya has prohibited tourists from staying in hotels, resorts, home stays, guest houses and other private lodges and boarding homes, till the end of this month. A copy of the circular has been forwarded to Kodagu District Hotel and Resort Owners Association and Kodagu District Home Stays Association.

“The landslides and flooding is unpredictable in the region. In such unstable circumstances, it is dangerous to pass through the fragile roads. In the best interest of the welfare of the tourists, we hereby order that all private establishments should cancel tourist accommodation and related arrangements,” the order said.

According to the Clean Coorg Initiative (CCI), in 2017 alone the district had a footfall of over 12 lakh visitors. The current estimates suggest that over 3,000 private business establishments catering to the needs of tourists are going to be affected as the relief efforts continue in the region.