Ooty: Heavy rainfall has triggered multiple landslides across Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district, disrupting traffic on the Ooty–Mettupalayam National Highway and the Mettupalayam–Kotagiri State Highway. A bus driver was killed after mud and rocks fell on a government bus near Burliar around midnight, while 78 students and eight teachers from Kerala were stranded for hours during a school excursion.
The deceased driver was identified as Kanakaraj, 50, a native of Bettati near Ooty. Heavy rain lashed the Nilgiris and the foothill town of Mettupalayam from the night through the early morning. Reports indicated landslides at 14 locations along the Coonoor road and three locations on the Kotagiri road.
Fallen soil and rocks have blocked several stretches, disrupting traffic and leaving vehicles, including a bus trapped in the debris. Efforts to clear the affected roads and move stranded vehicles are continuing, although the possibility of further landslides remains.
Tourism Restricted Until October 26
In view of the dangerous conditions, Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru announced restrictions on tourism in the district until October 26. Vehicles travelling from Mettupalayam towards Ooty have been stopped, and safety restrictions have been imposed on routes entering the district.
Authorities have advised people to postpone travel to Ooty because further rainfall is possible. Government bus services towards the hill station have also been temporarily halted at the Mettupalayam bus stand.
Kerala School Tour Group Stranded Overnight
The heavy rain and landslides left a school excursion group from Bookkana Girls High School in Pallam, Chingavanam, Kottayam, stranded on the road for several hours. The group comprises 78 students and eight teachers. Their journey was disrupted at around 11 pm on Friday.
Rescue efforts were complicated by another bus that had been damaged by a fallen tree and was blocking the road. After moving the damaged vehicle to one side, rescuers used ropes to help the students and teachers cross safely to the other side.
Teachers confirmed that everyone in the group was safe. The students had been expected to return to Kottayam early on Saturday after completing their excursion. Arrangements were under way to move them to a school in Mettupalayam.
Rescue and transportation efforts have been slowed by severe traffic congestion. Tamil Nadu authorities have provided food and drinking water for the stranded children.
Tourists and Vehicles Trapped Along Forest Road
Vehicles carrying students and tourists from various parts of Kerala, including Pala, were also stranded for hours overnight. Some travellers managed to return safely from Mettupalayam by early morning.
On the forest stretch between Burliar and Coonoor, vehicles were unable to move in either direction. Landslides and falling rocks left vehicles stranded for kilometres, forcing some travellers to walk long distances to reach safer locations. The district administration has arranged food and water for those affected.
Coimbatore Range Inspector General of Police Ramya Bharathi is coordinating police rescue operations. National Highway authorities are using JCB machinery to clear mud and rocks from the roads, but the risk of further landslides continues to hamper restoration work.
