Residents of Thengumarahada village in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district were left stranded on Monday, 26 October after relentless heavy rain caused the Moyar River to surge well above danger levels, severing all access to the outside world and cutting off supplies of food and medicines. The remote settlement, tucked inside a densely forested pocket of Kotagiri taluk near the Sathyamangalam and Mudumalai tiger reserves, depends entirely on river crossings for its connection to essential services.

Village Cut Off as River Crossings Suspended

Continuous downpours across the Nilgiris and neighbouring areas over the past several days have swollen the Moyar to dangerous levels. By Monday, the river's muddy, reddish waters were flowing with considerable force, making the usual crossing point too hazardous to attempt. All river transport has been suspended as a result, leaving villagers unable to safely venture out for medical needs, provisions, or any outside assistance.

Over 60 Landslides Reported in 24 Hours

The Moyar flooding is part of a broader pattern of rain-triggered destruction across the hill district. More than 60 instances of landslides — ranging from minor earth slips to larger slope failures — were reported across the Nilgiris within a single 24-hour period. This comes amid a prolonged spell of heavy rainfall that has progressively weakened hillside stability throughout the region.

In one fatal incident, Janagaraj, a 51-year-old government bus driver, died after being caught in a major landslide at Paraliyar on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor hill road on Friday. His death underlines the acute danger posed by unstable slopes during extended wet spells in the Nilgiris.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway Suspended, Roads Diverted

Landslide debris along the route has forced the temporary suspension of train services on the Coonoor-Mettupalayam section of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, compounding the district's already severe transport disruptions. All vehicles on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor road are currently being diverted through Kotagiri while clearance work proceeds on the affected stretches.

Notably, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway — a UNESCO World Heritage site — has seen repeated weather-related closures during the monsoon season, but the scale of disruption this week is among the more significant in recent years.

Rescue Operations and Official Advisory

The district administration and Fire and Rescue Services personnel are conducting rescue and relief operations across affected areas. Crews are simultaneously working to clear earth and debris from landslide-blocked roads. The District Collector has appealed to residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary travel on hill roads until conditions improve. Those requiring emergency assistance have been directed to contact the Nilgiris district control room at 1077 or 0423-2450024.