Heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides and tree falls across Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district on October 24, disrupting road traffic and affecting tourists, commuters and students travelling through the hill region.
A Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus driver was killed after a landslide buried his vehicle near Burliar on the Mettupalayam–Coonoor ghat road during the night of October 23–24. The bus was travelling from Coonoor towards Mettupalayam when falling trees, rocks, mud and debris trapped the vehicle. The passengers had already alighted after the bus developed a flat tyre.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and tree falls across the Nilgiris district.
A TNSTC bus driver was killed when a landslide buried his vehicle near Burliar.
The bus conductor was rescued and taken to hospital.
More than 300 people were reported stranded along affected hill roads.
241 students and 25 teachers from Kerala are among those stranded.
Road traffic and Nilgiris Mountain Railway services were disrupted.
Rescue personnel recovered the driver’s body and rescued the conductor, who was taken to a hospital for treatment.
More than 300 people were stranded along the affected hill roads following multiple landslides and traffic disruptions. Those affected included students and teachers from Kerala who were returning from an educational trip to Ooty. 241 students and 25 teachers from Kerala were stranded in seven buses. Rescue personnel helped them reach safer locations, where food and shelter were arranged.
The heavy rainfall also blocked several road stretches connecting Ooty with Mettupalayam, Coonoor and Kotagiri. The downpour triggered landslides at multiple locations and uprooted trees, complicating rescue and road-clearance operations.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The incident highlights the dangers of intense rainfall in hilly areas, where landslides and falling trees can cause fatalities, block transport routes and leave travellers stranded. Timely weather warnings, safe travel decisions and effective emergency response are essential during periods of heavy rain.
Train services on the Nilgiris Mountain Railway were also disrupted. District authorities announced restrictions on tourist movement and advised visitors to postpone non-essential travel to the hill district because of the continuing rainfall and landslide risk.
The India Meteorological Department forecast further rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu. On October 25, an orange alert was in force for the Nilgiris, while red alerts were issued for some other districts of the state.
Authorities have urged residents and visitors to follow official weather advisories, avoid landslide-prone roads and comply with local travel restrictions until conditions improve.
