The prolonged dry spell along the Western Ghats that almost dried the waterfalls of Courtallam has robbed the sheen of ‘Saral Thiruvizha’ which would be celebrated with pomp.After the southwest monsoon became a cropper this year, thanks to the Super El Nino, rainfall along the Western Ghats, which would drench the mountains between June and August every year, has been a great disappointment. Consequently, storage level in the four major dams of Tenkasi district – Ramanadhi, Gadana, Karuppanadhi and Adavinainarkovil – has been pathetic.Besides uprooting farming operations, the monsoon failure has also overturned tourism at Courtallam, which would attract a few lakh visitors every year for taking bath in the waterfalls and relish the scintillating weather.“After enjoying excellent business since June first week, we’d be eagerly awaiting for the start of ‘Saaral Thiruvizhaa’ every year as this week-long festival would attract huge number of tourists from various parts of Tamil Nadu and other South Indian States to ensure brisk business for all stakeholder. With the season being pathetic this year, the tourist arrival to Courtallam has been thin since June. Hence, the ‘Saral Thiruvizha’ has become a low-key affair this year,” said P. Ramanathan, a hotelier.The district administration, which used to colourfully organise ‘Saral Thiruvizha’ every year for at least 8-days with flower show, vegetable carvings, spices expo, boat race at Vennamadaikulam, marathon for tourists, performance by cultural troupes from various States, a range of competitions for the tourists and the locals etc., has been forced to complete it like a ritual this year by organising the events for just five days, thanks to the forgettable season.“The organisers of ‘Saral Thirvizha’ – the district administration and Department of Tourism - are frustrated over the season’s failure this year, it seems, as the invitation for this function does not even have the exact time of the inaugural function, in which the Minister for Tourism S. Rajesh Kumar and Environment Minister V. K. Rajeev, are participating,” laughed a senior revenue official.The only solace is that the drizzle that returned to Courtallam on Thursday after a long gap of more than 30 days has brought in some water to – Old Courtallam Falls, Five Falls and the Main Falls.“After hearing this positive development, a few thousand tourists may come to Courtallam during the ‘Saral Thiruvizha’, we expect,” said N. Balamurugan of Courtallam, a cab driver. Published - July 30, 2026 07:31 pm IST