Rain played spoilsport during the sample fireworks of Thrissur Pooram on Wednesday.
Heavy rain lashed the city soon after the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms finished the first round of the fireworks.
Hundreds of pyrotechnics fans, who thronged the Swaraj Round and bylanes near it, to witness the carnival of colours, were drenched in rain.
Chaos prevailed as people started running helter-skelter to find a cover from the unexpected rain. The rest of the fireworks was called off as the entire ground was soaked in rain.
However, Pooram lovers were relieved that the rain lashed only after the main course of pyrotechnics. Ending controversies and confusions, the PESO (Petroleum and Explosives safety Organisation) gave its conditional nod for the Pooram only two days ago.
Though the Devaswoms got less than 48 hours for making preparations, they came up with most colourful display for the sample event, which kick-starts the celebrations. The show started around 7.30 p.m.
Monitoring
The sample fireworks were held under the strict monitoring of PESO officials. Stringent security measures were set up for the fireworks at the Thekkinkadu maidan. High decibel fireworks such as dynamites were avoided.
Meanwhile, a fire hydrant has been installed at the Thekkinkadu maidan for fire safety using the MLA fund of Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar.
