Search This Blog

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

tragic parisal accident at Hogenakal - the coracles !!

Most tourist places have something in common – lack of facilities for common man; absence of safety precautions !  - do you know what these are ?
photo credit : Dinamalar

Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India built in 1934. It provides irrigation facilities to parts of Salem, the length of Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirappali and Thanjavur district for 271,000 acres of farm land. Upstream from the dam is Hogenakal Falls.  Hogenakal  is located in the Dharmapuri district about 180 km (110 mi) from Bangalore and 46 km (29 mi) from Dharmapuri town. Carbonatite rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in South Asia.  The water falls here are difference than the one at Courtallam or elsewhere. 

River Cauvery [Kaveri] flows forcefully and in the vast expanse, tourists travel by boat [not exactly boat but contraptions called ‘parisal’] – people take ride on these parisals to go near and enjoy the sight of falls near gorges – some local children would jump off from the hill tops into the river for a small money.   Freshly caught fish ~many varieties are there on the river, are sold by the gorge. 

The parisal [coracle] - is a small, lightweight boat – not exclusive to Hogenakal -  used in Wales; also in parts of Western and South West England, Ireland and Scotland and in some other parts of the World too.  Oval in shape and very similar to half a walnut shell, the structure is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods, tied with willow bark.  The Indian Coracles are primitive, light, bowl-shaped boats with a frame of woven grasses, reeds, or saplings covered with hides.  It is stated that at Hogenakal there are two types – smaller ones used for fishing and larger ones, which measure up to 8.4 feet (2.6 metres) in diameter, are used for tourists.

Don’t ever imagine something of a boat [when you read larger !] – here is one when we travelled in 1989 ! – On that day, the oarsman asked us not to shift stating that the place is very deep; took us nearer the five falls – and in order to entertain, made the boat swirl around, using his oar dexterously. perhaps we may not venture to do that now [my Oriental friends in this photo will vouch for that !]…….    Understand that these parisals are waterproofed by hide of buffaloes; but plastic sheets are used these days. 

Sad news from Hogenakal is : in a tragic turn to a wedding anniversary celebration, six members of a Chennai family, including two children were drowned when their coracle capsized in Hogenakkal on Sunday [30.8.15].  According to the Hindu / TOI and Indian Express, among the  dead was a 10- month-old girl. Three others, including a six-andhalf- year-old boy, were dragged to safety. Collector K. Vivekanandan has banned coracle rides in Hogenakkal. The accident occurred at Dombachikkal in Hogenakkal when the victims who got down to view Five Falls from the view tower were climbing onto the coracle. One of them fell on the coracle, tipping it over. The victims were not wearing lifejackets and the coracle was overloaded.

Residents of Hogenakkal say Sunday’s coracle tragedy is not new. Often they hear incidents of drowning. In 2010, a similar accident involving a coracle ride ended in the drowning of four from Chennai. Lifejacket was made mandatory after the Pulicat lake boat tragedy in 2011. But in Hogenakkal, which witnesses several hundred tourists every weekend, the lifejacket norm is ignored. Often tourists are reluctant to don the lifejackets, citing the heightened humidity, says a former tourism manager of- Hogenakkal, requesting anonymity.

The occasional tourists, who do wear lifejackets before boarding a coracle at the boathouse, remove them after the coracle stops at two points for the tourists to climb out for closer view of Five Falls. They ignore the lifejacket after climbing onboard the second time, says a police source.

News reports  state  that the riders also flouted the passenger limit norm of six persons per coracle, says the former tourism manager.  On Sunday, 10 passengers were on board the ill-fated coracle. Overcrowding is linked to overpricing of the rides. The government has fixed the fare at Rs. 110 per person, but coracle drivers charge Rs.160. Sometime ago, the hanging bridge that renders a perfect view of Five Falls by foot was closed to prevent tourists from straying by foot up to the scenic falls. In the absence of access to a view of the falls, the only option left is a coracle ride that offers them a view. A local resident felt that posting of lifeguards along the hanging bridge would prove effective.

The coracles are operated by locals who also provide a little adventure by pushing the paddle to make the coracle swirl in the rapids, a common occurrence when the river is in spate. A tourist hotel official said, “With better travel facilities, people make the trip on their own and also opt for a ride in the coracle. Most of them make the trip on their own, often in the day. Of late, the tragedy has been compounded as youngsters consume alcohol and enter the water. Most visitors do not know to swim and are uncaring of their own safety – and any way, those who learnt swimming in pools would find it extremely tough to swim in running water. 

Sad, another accident – loss of lives – now for sometime people would debate on safety norms and in a few months, things would be forgotten – getting back to the usual ways !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

31st Aug 2015.

40 comments:

  1. I've heard a lot about this Dam.It is famous for many tragic and sad accidents.Thanks for sharing this amazing article with us.Keep posting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think this is an enlightening post and it is extremely helpful and learned. accordingly, I might want to thank you for the endeavors you have made in composing this article.Elia & Ponto

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blogs I have read which are really not that good.Thanks alot!
    https://www.eliaandponto.com/michigan-auto-accident-lawyer/

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a great article thanks for sharing this informative information. I will visit your blog regularly for some latest post. I will visit your blog regularly for Some latest post. Click Here

    ReplyDelete
  5. I assume that smart business people do not want to be belittled and told that, they if they don't have a lawyer, they will be too naive or inexperienced to avoid pitfalls. Visas

    ReplyDelete
  6. Make the most of mainly premium substances - you will find him or her for: https://www.eliaandponto.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. When faced with a problem that you think it needs legal attention, Website

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, that was strange. I just wrote a really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well, I'm not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
    cash for cars adelaide
    scrap car removal adelaide

    ReplyDelete
  9. Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
    cash for cars gold coast
    cash for scrap cars gold coast

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful information specially the ultimate part :) I maintain such info much. I used to be seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time.
    Thank yyou and good luck.
    cash for unwanted cars brisbane
    Car Wreckers Brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  11. Generally I don't learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it!
    Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very great post.
    cash for cars toowoomba
    cash 4 cars toowoomba

    ReplyDelete
  12. Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
    cash for cars brisbane
    cash for cars Ipswich

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, foг ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you miggһt Ƅe a great author. I wiⅼl made certain to booҝmark your blog and ѡill often come back sometime soon. I want to encoᥙrage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice evening!
    Cars for Cash Ipswich
    car disposal brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you are thinking about any hidden charges for the services we provide. There are no hidden charges at all. From getting a quote till car removal, each service is free Cash For Cars Ipswich

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you are looking for a rubbish removal skip bin hire Ipswich service to clean up, remove, and dispose of your unwanted rubbish, look no further than Aussie Bins Skip | Address: 973 Fairfield Road, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105 | Phone: 0426 499 000 | Email: info@aussiebinsskip.com.au Skip Bin Hire Ipswich

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cash for Car Brisbane is an online service that allows people. You are one call away far to cherish this amazing service. Moreover, Cash for Car Brisbane deals in the spare parts of the car at a cheap amount. You can get your desiring automobile parts of high and best quality at your doorstep Cash For Car Brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  17. Junk Car Removals is the best Cash For Cars Brisbane Up To $12000 With Free Car Removal Brisbane, Get Top Cash For Junk Cars, Vans, Suv, Truck in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast, Inner Brisbane, South Brisbane, North Brisbane, West Brisbane and East Brisbane
    Cars For Cash Ipswich
    cash for car brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. los angeles car accident

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. duikschool hurghada

    ReplyDelete
  20. Decide current realities. Normally the main evidentiary thing found in a regular record is the car accident report (TCR), as they are brought in California; somewhere else they have different names. Dealing with Insurance Companies

    ReplyDelete
  21. مجموعه دکورچوب یکی از واردکنندگان و فروشندگان برتر و بزرگ کاغذ دیواری، پارکت لمینت، قرنیز و دیگر ملزومات دکوراسیون داخلی است شما میتوانید برای مشاهده محصولات و خرید آنلاین به سایت دکورچوب مراجعه کنید
    مشاهده کاغذ دیواری

    ReplyDelete
  22. I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. on most of the subjects you write related to Cash For Car Sydney. Again, awesome weblog!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. on most of the subjects you write related Car Removal Sydney. Again, awesome weblog!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you so much for sharing this information with us Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tip of your post is awesome. here for some more new ideas, services in Car Removals Perth. Have a great week.
    Balcony glass fencing

    ReplyDelete
  25. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. Phone Repairs Ipswich

    ReplyDelete
  26. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting.I have read a few of the articles on your website now . Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work sports bra top gym for women

    ReplyDelete
  27. Awesome article with great idea!Thank you for such a profitable article. I truly acknowledge for this extraordinary data.. buy bc weed

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think this is a better than average article. You make this data intriguing and locks in. You give perusers a considerable measure to consider and I welcome that sort of composing phone screen repair Ipswich

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. профессиональная косметика для косметологов

    ReplyDelete
  30. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! Fulfillment Center

    ReplyDelete
  31. Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us. Curly Girl metoden

    ReplyDelete
  32. You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I’ve truly read something like this before. So great to find someone with genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

    CBSE Schools In Kangra
    CBSE Schools In Kinnaur
    CBSE Schools In Kullu
    CBSE Schools In Lahaul Spiti
    CBSE Schools In Mandi
    CBSE Schools In Shimla
    CBSE Schools In Sirmaur
    CBSE Schools In Solan
    CBSE Schools In Una
    CBSE Schools In Dharamshala

    ReplyDelete
  33. شرکت تهویه هورسان یکی از بهترین شرکت های حوزه تهویه مطبوع است که به ما اجازه کسب تجربه خوب در خرید سیستم های تهویه مطبوع را می دهد برای بررسی این موضوع به لینک زیر مراجعه کنید
    لینک خرید چیلر

    ReplyDelete
  34. Maybe those are two of the reasons that I became a lawyer, so that I could do something about those situations. fresno car accident lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  35. buy authentic documents online.
    passports, Visas
    drivers licenses
    birth certificates
    ids, SSN/cards
    degrees, PR
    certificates, IELTS, PTE, MPU, exams
    bank notes
    and many other documents.just let us know which document
    Wickr; donabills
    Email; donabills@protonmail.com WhatsApp +1 716 712 4854

    ReplyDelete
  36. در دنیای تهویه مطبوع با توجه به تنوع زیادی که دارد باید همیشه اطلاعات زیادی در رابطه با این محصولات کسب کنیم چرا که اگر اطلاعات کافی نداشته باشیم در خرید این محصولات به مشکل میخوریم.

    معرفی داکت اسپلیت

    ReplyDelete