In Kerala on Sunday and Monday, the Travancore Devaswom Board appealed to the devotees of Lord Ayyappa to refrain from visiting the Sabarimala temple in the Pathanamthitta district. In fact, the state has received the highest rainfall and so far 18 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents. Last Saturday, the doors of the temple were reopened only for 'Thula Masam' puja, as Pathanamthitta district received the highest rainfall and later saw a severe rise in water level.

The same Travancore Devaswom Board urged that with the temple on the top of a hill between mountains and dense forests, it will be difficult for devotees to climb the Sabarimala hill as there is a possibility of heavy rains and frequent landslides. In Kerala, four persons were killed in a landslide at Kuttical in Kottayam and Kokkyar in the Idduki district. According to Kerala Minister VN Wasavan, the bodies of three persons have been found so far, all of whom were killed in landslides in Kuttical.

Similarly, the state authorities have suggested to the individuals to visit tourist places and not to go to rivers and other water bodies. Several districts have reported damage to roads due to rain, while severe waterlogging has made life miserable for others. Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy personnel are currently heading towards hilly villages where a flowing river has flown through houses. After this incident, many persons have been displaced.

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