Kerala rains: Sabarimala temple restricts devotees as Pamba river overflows

Kochi, Aug 13: As the water level in the Pampa river has increased to an alarming level, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced restrictions for Sabarimala pilgrimage.

TDB authorities advised Ayyappa devotees to avoid Sabarimala pilgrimage until the situation improves. The restrictions in pilgrims flow were imposed to ensure the safety of devotees visiting Sabarimala, the TDB said in a statement.

Shutters of several dams in Pathanamthitta district are raised to release water as the water level crossed maximum storage capacity of the reservoirs which resulted in the overflow of the river.

The incessant and unusual rain this season that killed 39 people in the last six days alone has caused damage to the tune of over Rs. 8,000 crore.

The monsoon rain that has led to unprecedented destruction in Kerala has been the second worst in 94 years in terms of its sheer devastating impact.

According to the Chief Minister, 2018 has seen the second worst spell of monsoon rain since 1924.

186 people have died in the state this monsoon and there have been 211 cases of landslides, according to state government data.

At several places in the mountainous Idukki district alone, roads have turned into rubble or have caved-in due to landslides.