Heavy rain triggers landslides in the Nilgiris; over 150 Kerala students rescued, government bus damaged

CHENNAI: More than 150 students from Kerala were rescued after being trapped in a landslide in the Mettupalayam–Ooty region, while a government bus was damaged after a tree and mud fell on it amid heavy rainfall in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts.

Over 150 students rescued

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the students, who were visiting the region as tourists, were stranded following a landslide. Police, firefighters and district administration officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and used ropes to evacuate them to safety.

Government bus damaged in landslide

In a separate incident, a government bus carrying around five passengers was damaged after a tree and debris fell on it along a route in the Coimbatore district. The conductor was rescued and taken to Mettupalayam Government Hospital for treatment in an unconscious state. The driver's condition was not immediately known.

Firefighters were engaged in rescue operations, while transport department officials reached the scene to investigate. Poor mobile phone connectivity in the area was reportedly hampering rescue efforts.

Landslides disrupt road traffic

The Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts have been experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds over the past week as the northeast monsoon intensifies in Tamil Nadu. The downpour has triggered landslides and tree falls at around 20 locations along roads connecting Ooty with Mettupalayam, Coonoor and Kotagiri.

Landslides have been reported at 14 locations along the Mettupalayam–Coonoor road and at three locations along the Mettupalayam–Kotagiri road, disrupting traffic on both routes.

Traffic on the Ooty–Coonoor–Mettupalayam road was suspended from midnight until 9 am, while movement on the Ooty–Kotagiri–Mettupalayam road was disrupted for about an hour from around 5 am. Only small vehicles were reportedly allowed along one side of the latter route. The alternative route to Ooty via Karamadai, Gethai and Manjoor was also blocked following rockfalls.

Heavy rainfall, school holiday and train cancellation

Lower Kotagiri reportedly recorded 200 mm of rainfall, while Paraliyar received 250 mm. Restoration work is underway on the affected roads.

As a precautionary measure, Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya reportedly declared a holiday for schools in six taluks on Saturday (October 24). The Mettupalayam–Ooty mountain railway service was also cancelled for the day due to the landslides, affecting tourists who had planned to travel by train.