Heavy rains trigger landslides; train services on Nilgiri Mountain Railway cancelled
Nilgiris, October 19
Train services on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) were cancelled on Sunday following heavy rains and multiple landslides in the region,
According to Southern Railway, "earth slips" occurred at several locations along the route, with boulders, mud, and fallen trees blocking the track between Kallar and Coonoor, disrupting train movement.
As a result, the train services were cancelled for October 19.
"Train No. 56136 Mettupalayam - Udagamandalam. Train No. 56137 Udagamandalam - Mettupalayam. Train No. 06171 Mettupalayam - Udagamandalam Special Train," a statement issued by Salem Division of Southern Railway read.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal and may move west-northwestward and gradually intensify. The system is expected to strengthen further into a deep depression, authorities said.
Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Cuddalore District, said that in view of this, all types of mechanised country boats, catamarans, and motorised fishing vessels from Cuddalore district are advised not to venture into the sea until further notice.
Fishermen from the Cuddalore district who are currently engaged in fishing in the deep sea have been instructed to return to the shore immediately, the official warned.
All fishermen have been requested to strictly follow the advisory and extend their full cooperation to the government, he added.
Official handle of the Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai said in a post on X that light to Moderate rain with Thunderstorm and lightning is likely at isolated places over Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Madurai, Erode, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Thiruvallur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Puducherry, Karaikal.
Moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning is likely at isolated places over Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Thoothukkudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu, it added.
Earlier, Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning triggered waterlogging in parts of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The District Administration had declared a holiday for schools in the district due to heavy rainfall.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good that they're taking precautions with the fishing boats. Safety first! The weather department seems to be doing their job well with timely warnings. Hope all fishermen return safely to shore.
I was planning to visit Ooty next week with my family. Now I'm reconsidering due to these weather warnings. Does anyone know if the situation is expected to improve in the coming days?
Climate change is really showing its effects in our hill stations. We need better infrastructure to handle such extreme weather events. The landslides in Nilgiris are becoming more frequent each year.
While the cancellations are necessary for safety, I wish the railway authorities had better communication systems. Many tourists must be stranded without proper information about alternative arrangements.
The school holiday announcement in Thoothukudi shows the administration is proactive. Hope other districts also take similar precautions. Children's safety should always be the priority during such weather conditions.
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