Thousands gathered on the banks of the Chaliyar at Feroke right here on Saturday afternoon braving rain to witness the Beypore boat race, organised as a part of Onam celebrations.
Though the rain obscured regular viewing, there was no dampening the spirits of the viewers who cheered the groups with shouts and whistles. Some even didn’t hesitate to leap into the river to rescue males in one of many boats that capsized in direction of the top of the race.
Earlier, Minister for Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas flagged off the race, which can also be a part of the division’s Kerala Champions Boat League. Ten ‘Churulan’ nation boats, all from Kasaragod took half within the competitors.
Three heats with a minimal of three boats in every warmth had been held. The last spherical was between Palichon Boat Club, Sree Vayalkara Vengad Boat Club, and AKG Podithuruthi River Thunder that gained the heats. The Palichon River Ninjas Boat Club from Achanthuruthi bagged the trophy by defeating the AKG Podithiruthi Club by the distinction of simply 0.20 seconds within the finals.
One of the boats that took half within the losers last overturned after it crossed the ending line. However, all preparations had been made by the authorities on the venue in view of such incidents and with the well timed intervention of the Coast Guard and the native fishermen, all of the 25 boatmen had been rescued instantly.
The competitors was held in Chaliyar between the newly renovated Feroke Old Bridge and the brand new bridge round half a kilometre away. The movement of individuals from even close by Malappuram district to Feroke had created fairly a site visitors congestion on the National Highway through the afternoon.
Source: www.thehindu.com