A landslip along the Mettupalayam-Coonoor ghat section on October 24, 2026
| Photo Credit: M. Periasamy

The ecologically fragile Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu was hit by as many as 62 landslips in the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. on Sunday (October 25, 2026), following light to moderate spell of rain across the seven taluks. 

According to official data from the district administration, heavy damage to infrastructure was reported, with 15 huts partly damaged, one hut fully collapsed and 16 revetments damaged across the district. The continuous spell led to the damage of two high-tension poles, nine low-tension poles and one distribution transformer. A total of 28 trees were uprooted. 

Parsons Valley gets highest rainfall

The district recorded a cumulative total rainfall of 453.9 mm during the 24-hour period, with an overall average rainfall of 14.64 mm. Ten out of the 31 rain gauge statins in the district received moderate rain, with the remaining locations recorded light rain in the 24 hours. 

Parsons Valley in Udhagamandalam taluk recorded the highest rainfall in the district at 52 mm, followed by Upper Bhavani in Kundah taluk at 38 mm and Naduvattam and Glenmorgan (also in Udhagamandalam taluk) at 37 mm each. 

The district had 19 landslips in the previous 24 hours ending on Saturday (October 24) morning and one of them buried a TNSTC bus near Burliyar on the Coonoor-Mettupalayam ghat section, killing its driver and injuring the conductor. 

Vehicular traffic, tourism

Traffic along Mettupalayam-Coonoor stretch remains suspended and vehicles are being allowed to and fro Nilgiris along Mettupalayam-Kotagiri Road between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., said police sources.

People who want to travel to Coonoor and Udhagamandalam (Ooty) from Mettupalayam and vice versa must use Kotagiri Road during the permitted hours. Tourism activities in the Nilgiris also remain suspended for three days from Saturday. 

Published – October 25, 2026 11:52 am IST