This story is from August 8, 2020

Kerala: Triveni bridge submerged; orange alert in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta

With the Triveni bridge at Pamba getting submerged by floodwater, doubts have emerged over the temple tantri (chief priest) taking out a journey to the shrine, which is set to be opened for the annual niraputhari festival on Saturday evening.
Kerala: Triveni bridge submerged; orange alert in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta
Triveni flooded after Pamba River overflowed on Friday
T’PURAM/KOTTAYAM: With the Triveni bridge at Pamba getting submerged by floodwater, doubts have emerged over the temple tantri (chief priest) taking out a journey to the shrine, which is set to be opened for the annual niraputhari festival on Saturday evening.
In a similar situation during the 2018 floods the tantri had to be taken to the temple via Pulmedu.
“We are not sure whether nature would let the tantri and his retinue to cross the Triveni bridge and travel along the forest route to the shrine,” sources in Travancore devasom board said.
However, there is a major difference between the situation in 2018 and now. “In 2018, we had to take all puja items across the river. For the past two years, we have been growing paddy near the temple. Other puja items have already been taken to Sannidhanam. So, the only challenge the inclement weather now pose is for the travel of tantri to the temple,” an official said.
The temple would be opened at 5pm on Saturday. On the festival day on Sunday, temple would be opened at 4am and close at 10pm.
Meanwhile, red alert was declared in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts on Friday noon after excessive rain warning was issued in these regions. Orange alert has been issued for both the districts for Saturday.
The India meteorological department (IMD) has also alerted the Pathanamthitta district administration about an excess of 204.5mm rain for the next 24 hours since Friday noon. The strong rains will increase the possibility of floods, landslides and mudslides.
Meanwhile, water entered Ranni town by Friday noon, triggering panic among the residents of a repeat of 2018 floods, when the town was badly affected.
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