Heavy Rains Trigger Seven New Landslips and Uproot Trees Across The Nilgiris

Heavy rain in The Nilgiris district caused seven new landslips and uprooted 15 trees during a 24-hour period ending on Monday morning. Officials reported that the district recorded a total rainfall of 734.5 mm with an average of 23.69 mm. Kinnakorai in Kundah taluk received 110 mm of rain, while Kotagiri recorded 68 mm. Stations including Burliar, Yedappalli, and Kodanadu also recorded moderate rain. Three people suffered injuries in rain mishaps, and three huts were partially damaged.

Official Response

District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru declared a holiday for all schools in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri, and Kundah taluks. Four relief camps were set up in schools and community halls. Authorities shifted 65 people, including tribals from hamlets near Burliyar and Katteri, to a relief camp at St. Antony's Higher Secondary School in Coonoor due to lightning strikes. Some residents briefly returned to their hamlets on Monday morning to feed their cattle.

Traffic Diversions

Officials from the National Highways Department and geotechnical experts are assessing road damages on the Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam Road. Traffic between Nilgiris and Coimbatore is diverted via Kotagiri after a portion of the road washed away near Burliyar. The Collector stated that vehicular traffic can resume only after fixing the damage.

Context

Hilly terrain regions during heavy monsoon periods frequently experience soil loosening, which often leads to landslips and roadblocks. Local administrations respond by setting up temporary relief camps and diverting traffic to ensure public safety.