Comfortable water flow in the Suruli Falls, one of the major tourist attractions in Theni district, has drawn tourists from different parts of Theni and nearby districts this season, thanks to torrential showers in Kerala, especially in Western Ghats.
Water flow was good in the falls. However, flow in the Suruli river was less. There was heavy crowd on Saturday and Sunday as it was a long weekend owing to Independence Day falling on Friday. Tourists within and outside Theni district thronged the falls since morning. Outstation tourists visiting Thekkadi, Vaigai dam and Kumbakarai falls too visited Suruli Falls at Surulipatti village near Cumbum. The two-day summer festival at Suruli Falls held on Saturday and Sunday too attracted tourists in large numbers to this tourists spot.
Flow of tourists to the falls had gone up after construction of a bridge across the Suruli River at a cost of Rs.60 lakh in 2005 and improvement of infrastructure facilities. (Earlier, tourists had to park their vehicles on the other side of the river and walk across the river.) Now, arrival of vehicles has also considerably increased. The district administration had pumped in substantial funds to make the falls attractive to tourists.
Concrete flooring at the bathing spot, dressing room, toilets, tiles-covered stairs with iron barricades leading to the falls and parapet walls provided comfort to tourists to an extent. Cement benches were also put up at an open circular area near the falls for tourists to sit and relax and dry their wet clothes.
Two forest officials have been deputed at the falls to regulate the crowd. Operation of battery operated cars was a biggest relief to children and old people as they could sit comfortably and reach the spot.
Earlier, elders faced hardship since forest officials would strictly prevent movement of vehicles after the checkpost. The older people struggled to trek the one-kilometre stretch on hilly slopes to reach the falls. Battery car helped them this time. The toll gate cess collected from vehicles will be utilised to maintain the falls, said the panchayat officials
