Hydrogen gas cylinders used to fill balloons are banned during the River Festival on January 25 in Tiruvannamalai district. District Collector K. Tharpagaraj said the ban is a safety move after a deadly cylinder explosion on January 19 in Kallakurichi, which killed a 50-year-old woman and injured 12 others. The festival marks the end of the five-day Pongal celebrations and is held along the dry Cheyyar river near Kalasapakkam town. Devotees from nearby districts like Vellore, Ranipet, Villupuram, Tirupattur, and Kancheepuram will attend. Collector Tharpagaraj stated, “As the safety of devotees, who are expected to attend in large numbers, remains a top priority, a ban on hydrogen-filled balloons will be in place for the festival.” He led a review meeting with police, fire and rescue, revenue, forest, and local authorities to ensure full preparedness. Later, he and Superintendent of Police M. Sudhakar inspected the festival site. According to District Rural Development Agency officials, the main deities from Arunachaleshwara temple and local temples will be brought to the river for rituals blessing the farmers. The festival will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Temporary shops selling food and decorative items will operate at the venue with nominal fees. Security includes about 200 police personnel, women constables, fire and rescue staff, and forest department officers to manage both crowds and firecracker displays.