World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Idukki bans hot-air balloon rides and entry to Thooval waterfalls
Idukki’s district collector banned hot-air balloon operations at Cloud Deck, an adventure tourism centre near Munnar in Kerala.
The order followed an incident on August 31 when a balloon reportedly touched an electric power line.
Officials said changing wind conditions could push balloons into power lines, creating risks of electrocution and fire.
In a separate order, the collector also barred visitors from Thooval waterfalls near Nedumkandam.
The site has had recurring drowning incidents, and more than 13 people have drowned there, according to official records.
The waterfalls lack basic safety measures, including warning signs, barriers and controls on access, while underwater rocks and currents can be hard for visitors to judge.
The orders aim to reduce risks to tourists and the public; the sources give no reopening date.
Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvat banned hot-air balloon operations at the Cloud Deck adventure tourism centre over safety concerns.
The ban followed an incident on August 31 when a balloon reportedly touched an electric power line.
In a separate order, the Collector also banned tourist entry to Thooval waterfalls after reports of recurring drownings and a lack of safety infrastructure.
Official records say more than 13 people have drowned at the waterfalls.
- Who
- Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvat issued the bans.
- What
- Hot-air balloon operations at Cloud Deck and tourist entry to Thooval waterfalls were banned.
- When
- The balloon reportedly touched a power line on August 31. The bans were reported on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Cloud Deck is at Thattathimukku near Pallivasal in Munnar; Thooval waterfalls are near Nedumkandam in Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki.
- Why
- The balloon ban followed safety concerns after contact with a power line. Entry to the waterfalls was banned because of recurring drownings and the absence of safety infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A hot-air balloon at the Cloud Deck centre reportedly touched an electric power line.
The Devikulam Sub-Collector submitted a report, after which the District Collector banned balloon operations at Cloud Deck.
The District Collector banned tourist entry to Thooval waterfalls.
- Balloon facility
- Cloud Deck, Thattathimukku near Pallivasal in Munnar
- Balloon incident
- August 31; balloon reportedly touched an electric power line
- Waterfall location
- Thooval waterfalls near Nedumkandam in Udumbanchola taluk
- Drowning toll
- More than 13 people, according to official records
What people are saying
The ban was imposed based on the assessment that these operations pose a grave threat to the safety of tourists and the general public