Thooval Waterfalls

With the rain subsiding, waterfalls in Idukki have become the favourite destination for visitors. Small and big water falls have formed in various streams and rivers providing a visual feast for visitors.
The district is endowed with the largest number of waterfalls of all sizes. The waterfalls become lively when the rain subside after a spell of heavy rains. The district has around 50 waterfalls including the famous Thommankuthu waterfalls.
Thooval falls, Ulakkayurutty, Aruvikkuzhy, Valara, Pookkulam and a number of falls in the Periyar river are being visited by scores of tourists especially during the off-season period.
The waterfalls till recently were less favoured by foreign tourists as proper information about the best falls and motorable roads were absent.
"Though Idukki has a number of waterfalls of great attraction, these are not included in the tourism itinerary for foreign visitors," said the manager of a travel agency here and added that if proper roads, guidelines, and facilities are provided foreign tourists especially off-beat travellers would be attracted. Though private tourism promoting agencies have added trekking in forest areas in the itinerary, waterfalls are not included, he said.
However, it does not dampen the spirit of internal tourists, especially youths who choose waterfalls to get away from the routine.
If proper care is not taken while visiting waterfalls, accidents may happen.
Divya K. M. a resident of the area said that each year more and more visitors come to Thooval falls, though a good road from Eettithoppu is still absent. It takes 15 minutes walk from Eettithoppu on the Kattappana-Melechinnar route to reach the bottom of the Thooval falls. Even before reaching the spot, one is spellbound by the mists produced by the falls.
The District Tourism Promotion Council is yet to devise a plan for showcasing the known waterfalls in the district. DTPC secretary M. Rajesh said that there was lack of facilities including motorable roads.
"However, it is possible to draw a list of safe waterfalls in the district and showcase them for tourists," she said and added that the DTPC has plans to make unknown destinations known to tourists and travel agencies.