Kerala: With rising water ranges of Pampa river, Sabarimala pilgrimage suspended for a day

By Express News Service

PATAHANAMTHITTA: As heavy rain continued to lash the excessive ranges and water stage in Pampa river rose dangerously, the Pathanamthitta district administration has suspended Sabarimala pilgrimage on Saturday.  

Pathanamthitta  collector Divya S Iyer has knowledgeable that pilgrims is not going to be allowed to proceed to Pampa, from Nilakkal transit station. The Pampa river is swollen and there may be heavy circulation within the river at Triveni the place the devotees cross the river to trek the Sabarimala hills and supply prayers on the Lord Ayyappa temple.

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Hundreds of pilgrims from southern states have been trekking the Sabarimala hills braving inclement climate from November 16 because the temple opened for the 2 month lengthy Mandala Makaravilakku pageant. 

“The pilgrims who have booked darshan for the day through  virtual queue will be provided an opportunity for darshan in the nearest possible slot once the weather conditions improve. I request the pilgrims to co-operate and avoid crossing the river till the weather improves,” the collector mentioned.

 A purple alert has been issued at each Kakki-Anathode dam dam and Pamba dam as a consequence of heavy influx. The Pampa river had swollen inundating the banks at Triveni, the place devotees cross the river on Friday evening prompting the district administration to droop pilgrimage for the day.

But, the water has began receding at Manappuram on Saturday morning. “At present, we are discharging 80 cusecs of water through the two shutters of Kakki-Anathodu dam. If rain continues, the discharge will be raised to 160 cusecs. We will open the shutters of Pampa dam if the rain continues,” the collector mentioned.

The collector now knowledgeable that devotees staying in Nilakkal can be given alternative for darshan  right now after making certain their security.