Despite the intense heat in Shevaroyan Hills on Sunday, tourists visited the 49th Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show at Anna Park in large numbers. The show will run till May 28.

Heavy crowds were seen at Anna Park, the venue for the flower and fruit show, and at the boat house on the Yercaud lake. The dog show organised as part of the festival drew considerable attention, with trained dogs entertaining visitors by displaying various skills.

Tourist spots such as Pagoda Point, Gent’s Seat, Lady’s Seat, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Deer Park and the Shevaroyan Temple witnessed heavy footfall throughout the day. Hotels, eateries and roadside stalls selling tea, snacks and ice creams reported brisk business.

The influx of vehicles led to traffic congestion in several parts of the hill station. Tourists arrived through the ghat roads in two-wheelers, cars, vans and tourist buses, resulting in heavy vehicular movement. To regulate traffic, police enforced a one-way traffic system on the Yercaud ghat road. Vehicles travelling towards Yercaud were allowed through the main ghat road, while those returning to Salem were diverted through the Yercaud–Kuppanur–Salem route.