Midnight Landslide Traps Bus on Mettupalayam-Coonoor Ghat Road Near Burliyar

Coimbatore: A government bus travelling from Udhagamandalam to Coimbatore was trapped under debris after a landslide struck near Burliyar on the Mettupalayam–Coonoor ghat road around midnight, with mud, boulders and uprooted trees reportedly crashing down from the hillside onto the vehicle.

Continuous rainfall across the Nilgiris has heightened concerns over soil erosion and landslides along the hill roads. The bus was reportedly carrying passengers towards Coimbatore when the slope gave way, leaving the vehicle trapped beneath the debris.

Following information about the incident, personnel from the Mettupalayam Fire and Rescue Services and the police rushed to the spot. Rescue teams immediately began removing the fallen trees, mud and other debris covering the bus.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the passengers and the driver were rescued. Rescue personnel continued clearing the debris and assessing the situation.

The incident brought vehicular traffic to a standstill on the ghat road, with vehicles travelling both uphill and downhill queuing up on either side. Motorists were left stranded in the pouring rain as vehicles waited for rescue operations to progress and the road to be cleared for movement.

Incessant rainfall has disrupted traffic along the hill routes. Landslides were also reportedly reported on the Mettupalayam–Ooty and Kotagiri routes, prompting officials to restrict vehicle entry, according to reports.

With the Nilgiris under a very heavy rainfall alert, travellers have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary journeys along vulnerable hill roads amid the risk of further landslides.