Coimbatore District Records 672.80 mm Rainfall; Mettupalayam Tops Chart at 145 mm

Coimbatore: Mettupalayam recorded the highest rainfall of 145 mm in Coimbatore district, as persistent rain continued across several parts of the district, with a major landslide near Burliar trapping a government bus beneath debris.

P.N. Palayam followed with 71 mm. The district recorded a total rainfall of 672.80 mm, with an average of 29.25 mm, in the 24 hours ending at 7.30 am on October 24.

According to the district rainfall report, Pillur Dam received 90 mm, while Siruvani Adivaram recorded 85 mm. TNAU received 20 mm, Annur 38 mm and the BDO Office at Thondamuthur recorded 42 mm.

In Valparai, Cincona recorded 26 mm, Chinnakalar 29 mm, Valparai PAP 18 mm, Valparai Taluk 15 mm and Sholayar 4 mm. Pollachi Taluk Office recorded 15 mm, while the PWD IB at Makkinampatti received 7 mm. Cincona and Chinnakalar recorded moderate rainfall, while Valparai PAP, Valparai Taluk and Pollachi Taluk Office recorded light rainfall.

The Siruvani catchment areas have also recorded over 100 mm of rainfall, with the water level at Siruvani Dam rising gradually to 34.54 feet.

Meanwhile, a major landslide was reported near Burliar on the Mettupalayam–Ooty road, where mud, boulders and uprooted trees fell onto a government bus travelling from Udhagamandalam to Coimbatore, trapping the vehicle beneath the debris. Rescue operations are underway, while vehicular traffic on the hill road has been disrupted.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across Coimbatore district and the Nilgiris over the next two to three days. With continued rain raising the risk of further landslides, tourists and other travellers have been advised to exercise caution while travelling along vulnerable hill roads.