Severe weather conditions struck the hill districts of Tamil Nadu on Friday night, as heavy torrential downpours led to widespread destruction across the Nilgiris and Coimbatore regions. Saturated slopes gave way under the continuous rainfall, unleashing massive mudslides, boulders, and uprooted trees onto primary roadways. Among the most severe incidents, a government transport bus was struck by falling debris near Barliyar, resulting in the death of the driver and leaving the conductor injured. Several other vehicles were swept aside by the mudslides, and residential structures in vulnerable hill villages suffered extensive damage.
Widespread Landslides Block Coonoor-Mettupalayam Highway
Continuous heavy rainfall throughout Friday night triggered landslides at more than 10 locations along the vital Coonoor-Mettupalayam National Highway. The accumulation of fallen rocks, thick mud, and heavy tree trunks blocked both lanes, paralyzing vehicular movement on the primary corridor connecting Mettupalayam to the Nilgiris hill district. Rescue teams comprising state disaster response personnel, the fire and rescue services, local police, and Highway Department crews were deployed to the affected zones. Heavy earthmoving equipment was brought in to clear the debris and restore transport connectivity, though ongoing rainfall complicated clearance operations.
Government Bus Struck by Falling Debris, Driver Succumbs
The tragedy unfolded along the Mettupalayam-Ooty road section near Barliyar when a government bus operated by the state transport corporation came directly under a collapsing hillside section. The impact smashed the front cabin of the vehicle, killing driver Janakaraj on the spot. Rescue workers launched a prolonged operation to extract conductor Keshavan from the wreckage. Keshavan suffered multiple injuries and was transported to the Mettupalayam Government Hospital for medical care. Official sources confirmed that no passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the impact, preventing further loss of life.
Homes and Vehicles Swept Away in Barliyar Village
The impact of the heavy downpour extended into local settlements situated along the slope corridors. In Barliyar village, a utility vehicle loaded with chickens was pushed into a deep gorge by mud overflow; the driver managed to scramble clear and survived without life-threatening injuries. However, a residential home in the same village collapsed completely under the pressure of mud and floodwaters. While the residents successfully evacuated the structure before its collapse, all household belongings, savings, and a two-wheeler vehicle were buried under the sludge. The affected family appealed to the district authorities for immediate relief and financial rehabilitation.
Administrative Inspection and Strict Safety Norms for Road Reopening
Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and Superintendent of Police Brinda conducted an on-site inspection of the landslide damage along the affected stretches. The Collector reported that clearing operations began at first light on Saturday morning. Addressing the media, the administration emphasized that roads would not be reopened to civilian traffic immediately after the removal of surface debris. The Highway Department must first conduct detailed structural stability checks to ensure that hillside rocks are secure and the road foundation remains stable. Only after explicit clearance from engineering teams will routine traffic be allowed to resume.
Relief Camps Established and Helpline 1077 Activated
To assist travelers stranded due to the road closures, the district administration organized temporary emergency shelters. Public facilities, including government schools around the Coonoor region, were repurposed into relief camps offering food, drinking water, and basic facilities. Dedicated municipal officials were stationed at these shelters to oversee assistance operations until transport links are restored. Furthermore, the administration published emergency control room contact numbers across all regional offices and activated the public helpline number 1077 for immediate disaster assistance and road status inquiries.
