200 devotees stranded at temple as water flow increased in stream rescued

At least 200 devotees, including women and children, were rescued from Ayyanar Temple near here after the water level suddenly increased in a stream near the temple on Thursday.

Officials said with Karthigai celebration being held, a large number of devotees had turned up to offer darshan at the famous shrine. The devotees started trekking through the forested area from the forenoon and reached the shrine after crossing the stream, which had normal water flow.

Suddenly, at around 3 p.m., the water flow in the stream increased and the water level went up steadily. While 250 of the 450 devotees, who had gone to the temple, returned, the remaining 200 got stuck on the other side of the stream.

The authorities had posted security personnel to oversee the movement of devotees, which swiftly helped in the rescue operation. “All the devotees were brought to the safe zone without any difficulty,” Home Guard personnel posted at the spot said.