Neelakurinji spectacle is ready to welcome visitors by Oct 9

The Idukki district administration in Kerala has lifted the ban on Munnar, and Thekkady, including other tourist destinations. Effective from October 9 (Tuesday), travellers can access any of the tourist destinations including the Neelakurinji gardens.

Earlier, the district administration has banned tourism and late night travel in the district starting October 5, in view of the heavy to very heavy rain forecast in Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next two-three days. A red alert has also been issued in three districts of Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad on Thursday following an IMD forecast of heavy to very heavy rains in the state in the next two-three days.

The travel ban will be only till October 8, said the district collector in his recent release. In the wake of the forecast, the state government has decided to take precautionary measures to deal with any eventuality.

Tourists are flocking to Munnar to get a glimpse of Neelakurinji, a rare flower which blooms in the western ghats once in 12 years. After the floods in August, the tourism industry was coming back to its shape. But, the recent travel ban and weather alerts have made tourists anxious. However, with the travel ban to be lifted on October 9, the tourism industry hopes that tourists will visit Munnar to witness the Neelakurinji bloom.