Chennai Issues Red Alert for Nilgiris Amid Heavy Rains

Chennai has issued a red alert for the Nilgiris district due to ongoing heavy rains. Several areas are inundated, roads are damaged, and traffic is disrupted. State authorities are taking measures to assist those affected. Tourist spots are temporarily closed, and efforts to restore power and other services are underway.

Chennai issued a red alert for Nilgiris district on Thursday following relentless rainfall.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) projected heavy to extremely heavy rains in isolated locations within the district.

Vehicle movement from Nilgiris to Kerala and Karnataka faces disruptions due to road damages and tree falls caused by gusty winds.

Over a hundred houses and farmlands were inundated in Pandalur and Uppatti areas near Gudalur. Affected residents have been relocated to safer areas, according to a senior district official. Additionally, a landslide occurred on the Avalanche-Upper Bhavani road.

State Tourism Minister K Ramachandran, along with Additional Collector H R Koushik and other officials, surveyed the affected zones and issued directives for necessary actions. Due to continued downpour, tourists were confined to their hotel rooms. The Forest department announced that major tourist spots such as Doddabetta Peak will remain closed for two more days. Motorists have been advised to avoid night travel. Fourteen dams are nearing their full capacity due to significant inflows, and about 40 EB posts in regions including Ooty, Kothagiri, and Gudalur were impacted, with restoration efforts ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)