Koraput: The scorching heat that is sweeping across the state has hit hard the tourism sector in the tribal-dominated district with dwindling tourist inflow to various spots.

Koraput, which is regarded as one of the coolest places of the state with its dense forests and mountains, has been reeling from massive heat for the past one week.

While foreign tourists choose to visit the Duduma waterfall and the Onkadeli weekly market, the cave shrine of Lord Shiv at Gupteswar, Sabara Srikhetra in Koraput, Kolab reservoir and the Jain monuments of Subai among others have remained major attractions for domestic tourists.

However, the major tourist spots of the district are wearing a deserted look with people preferring to remain indoor throughout the day in view of the intense heat. High humidity level does not spare even places such as Lakshmipur, Pottangi, Semiliguda and Nandapur, which are said to be the coolest parts of the district.

Official figures show that in compare to the second week of May in 2017, the number of tourists, including the foreign ones, visiting the district this time of the year has come down by 30 to 40 per cent.

"Last May, around 12,000 tourists had visited the district. But this time, there has been a drastic drop in the tourist inflow. The heat is unexpectedly high this year, and it could be a reason for tourists skipping their visit to the area," said Buddhadev Budula, statistical assistant at the Koraput district tourist office.

A decline in the tourist inflow has also affected the hotel industry and the tribal economy in the district. "Many of the rooms remain unoccupied. We expect the situation to get better in another 10 days," Sam Naidu, manager of a leading hotel in Jeypore.

Officials said that though the soaring heat was making the condition worse for the people, no sun-stroke deaths had yet been reported here.