T’puram: The forest department has closed Ponmudi eco-tourism point after a landslide on the 12th hairpin curve of Kallar-Ponmudi road suspected to have been caused by heavy rain on Saturday. Neyyar and Peppara have also been closed for safety reasons.An official said that the Ponmudi eco-tourism centre may be closed for two more days or till the rain situation improves. Fire and rescue services and the forest department have started clearing work.Many parts of the state capital, including hilly areas, received heavy rain and strong winds.Following red alerts warning of heavy rain issued by IMD in most parts of the districts, especially those with forest areas, the forest department has temporarily closed the rest of the eco-tourism destinations across the state, including those at Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad.“The eco-tourism centres are usually closed for a day or two based on weather warnings during monsoons. Often the roads are prone to mudslides blocking traffic. Tourists can get stranded,” said a forest department official.
