Kempty Falls closed for public, shopkeepers stare at huge losses

MUSSOORIE: Over 26 shops and a canteen of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) at Kempty Falls, Mussoorie, have suffered extensive damage and losses after flooding due to incessant rainfall on Sunday.
Following the downpour, over 180 stranded tourists had to be rescued and the waterfall had to be closed for public. This was the second time in almost a month that the popular tourist destination had to be closed, following which local shopkeepers have alleged huge losses.
A local shopkeeper, Prem Kandari, said that his shop has been entirely damaged and it’s been two days and the authorities are yet to remove boulders and mud lying on his shop.“This is a touristy place and we do good business every day. My entire shop has been damaged and since Sunday, I have been suffering huge losses. The authorities are not interested in clearing the place.”
Echoing similar views, another shopkeeper, Raman Rawat, said that Sunday’s incident was very scary. “We should treat the incident as a warning. If the boulders are not removed at the earliest, heavy rains will further destroy the place.”
Sub inspector of Kempty Falls, Nand Lal Rodi, told TOI, “The water level is still high and so we are taking time to make sure that the area is safe. We will clear the debris soon and will also allow tourists and shopkeepers near the falls but we will be keeping the area closed till the water recedes.”