Tourists back at popular water spots in Mysuru as restrictions ease

Mysuru: Balamuri and Yedamuri, the popular water spots, where River Cauvery flows in Srirangapatna taluk is usually abuzz with activity. It is a hotspot during summer, attracting people from not only Mandya and Mysuru, but also from Bengaluru. But they had gone silent for the last 15 days, as the authorities were forced to impose restrictions, to prevent deaths due to drowning and revelry.

However, the situation has returned to normalcy for the last couple of days, as the restrictions have been relaxed, with safety measures in place.

KRS police submitted a memorandum to the Tahsildar, seeking prohibitory orders on the places, pointing out around 80 cases of drowning from 2015 till date.

As the deaths due to drowning in River Cauvery were on a rise and a large number of people are expected to visit these places during summer vacations, Srirangapatna Tahsildar Chetana Yadav had issued restriction orders, banning public entry from April 16.

Similarly, the authorities had imposed restrictions on entering the River Cauvery at Talkad in T Narsipur taluk, Mysuru district, after two girls from Bengaluru drowned, a week ago.

However, the restriction has been lifted at Talkad, and also at Balamuri and Yedamuri, with necessary precautions. Tourists have started visiting these places to play in the water, to beat the summer heat.

High-risk tourist spots

Balamuri and Yedamuri falls in Srirangapatna are high-risk tourist spots where several drowning incidents have been reported. It is due to the unpredictable underwater pits, strong currents, and slippery rocks. Many tourists, who underestimate these risks are often washed away while swimming or taking photos, calling for strict safety measures.

According to official records, around 80 people have died at these locations since 2015, with four drowning cases in the last fortnight alone. Barricades were installed, and local officials, along with police personnel, were deployed to ensure strict compliance with the order.

Chaitra, mother of a three-year-old son, and a resident of Bengaluru said, they visited to give their son an experience of playing in flowing river. They had come last year. However, this year he is excited to play in the water.

Locals said that most of the fatalities involve youths, who attempt to enter deep waters, despite lacking swimming skills. Police personnel cannot always be deployed. Hence, an iron grilled fence should be installed to prevent such mishaps, they opined.

According to the police, mostly selfie-obsessed tourists and revelers are at risk. However, during holidays and vacation, police personnel are deployed at such spots, to alert the visitors about the danger.

Learn swimming

Krishna, a swimming expert, said that the primary cause for accidental drowning is the lack of adequate swimming skills among the people. Hence, teaching swimming to children is important. However, even expert swimmers should be cautious at tourist places, where they are not aware of the depth, underwater current and others, he said.