Pathanamthitta Police Issue Safety Advisory; TDB Urges Pilgrims to Avoid Sabarimala Visit Amid Flood Alert
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| Pathanamthitta Police Write to TDB, Seek Urgent Safety Advisory for Sabarimala Pilgrims |
Pathanamthitta, Kerala: Following a safety advisory from the Pathanamthitta District Police, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has issued a directive advising devotees planning to visit Sabarimala for the Niraputhari festival on August 2 and 3 to avoid the pilgrimage until weather conditions improve, citing heavy rain, flooding at Pampa, and the threat of landslides.
The directive was issued after the Pathanamthitta District Police Chief requested the Devaswom Board to immediately alert devotees with Virtual Queue bookings about the prevailing weather conditions and the potential risks along the pilgrimage route.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, the District Police Chief stated that continuous heavy rainfall has caused the water level in the Pampa River to rise significantly, resulting in flooding on several stretches of the road to Pampa. The prevailing weather has also increased the risk of landslides, falling trees, and other weather-related hazards along the approach roads and trekking routes to Sabarimala.
With thousands of devotees expected to travel to Sabarimala for the Niraputhari festival, the police requested the Devaswom Board to disseminate the safety advisory through the Virtual Queue portal, SMS, the mobile application, and other communication channels so that pilgrims are informed before commencing their journey.
The advisory urges devotees to postpone their pilgrimage until weather conditions improve. Those who have already begun their journey have been asked to exercise extreme caution, plan their travel carefully, drive safely, avoid unnecessary halts in vulnerable areas, and strictly follow the directions issued by the Police, District Administration, and other authorities. Pilgrims have also been advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and traffic advisories throughout their journey.
The District Police Chief emphasized that the advisory should be immediately communicated to all devotees with Virtual Queue bookings to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
