MUSSOORIE: Heavy rains on Saturday caused an increase in the flow of water at Kempty Falls, prompting police to evacuate nearly 200 tourists and 20 shopkeepers from near the waterfall. The waterfall, a popular tourist destination, reopened on Sunday after remaining off-limits for visitors on Saturday.
Mussoorie and adjoining areas were lashed by very heavy rains on Saturday morning, resulting in the sudden increase in the flow of water at the waterfall, which sees heavy visitor footfall.
"The flow of water increased suddenly in the afternoon on Saturday. Fearing for the safety of tourists and shopkeepers, nearly 50 tourists, who were near the waterfall and around 20 shopkeepers of the area were relocated while about 150 tourists waiting nearby were also shifted,” said Naveen Jural, station officer of Kempty.
The further entry of tourists was prohibited on Saturday and police personnel were deployed in the area, Jural said, adding that on Sunday, the waterfall was opened for tourists since the water level had gone down.
To recall, after heavy rains on July 12, the entry of tourists at the waterfall was prohibited for several days while on August 29, a tourist from UP had slipped and drowned in the waterfall.
