The serene farming village of Nellarachal, nestled beside the picturesque Karappuzha Dam near Ambalavayal in Kerala, is grappling with an unexpected invasion — not of tourists, but of camera-wielding content creators.
What was once a peaceful agrarian settlement has now turned into a hotspot for pre-wedding shoots, drone footage, and Instagram reels. Visitors in cars, bikes, and jeeps descend upon the hamlet almost daily, armed with photography gear and little regard for the lives or privacy of the residents.
The situation spiralled out of control recently following a spate of accidents. In two separate incidents last week, a tractor and a jeep plunged into the dam’s waters — both linked to reckless, showy driving by reel-makers during shoots. Ambalavayal police acted swiftly, registering two cases and directing the Karappuzha Dam Safety Authority to implement immediate control measures.
Ambalavayal SI Royichan confirmed action had been initiated to cancel both the vehicles’ registration and the drivers’ licences. In the jeep case, five individuals were booked for creating chaos while filming during the drive. “The vehicle lost control on a grassy slope and slid into the water. Thankfully, all occupants jumped out safely,” he said. The accused were later granted conditional bail.
Villagers, already disturbed by the daily disruptions, are now demanding increased patrolling and a permanent police outpost. Nellarachal ward councillor Ramanadhan NK voiced the community’s growing frustration: “We welcomed tourism, but not at the expense of our peace. Our privacy is being trampled upon, and we suspect illegal activity disguised as video shoots.”