Heavy Rains Hit Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu; Tourist Spots Closed, Power Outage for 7 Hours

The Nilgiris received an average rainfall of 69.77 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Tuesday, with Avalanchi experiencing the heaviest downpour at 372 mm, followed by Upper Bhavani with 248 mm.

Due to the severe weather, Collector M Aruna declared a holiday for schools on Tuesday.

Avalanchi and Upper Bhavani have been experiencing similar heavy rainfall over the past few days. On Monday, Avalanchi received 64 mm of rain and Upper Bhavani 47 mm. On Sunday, Avalanchi recorded 43 mm and Upper Bhavani 25 mm.

The continuous rain has increased the inflow to Pillur Dam, causing the water level to rise to 97 feet out of the dam’s 100-foot capacity. As a precaution, 14,160 cusecs of water was released into the Bhavani River. The Nilgiris Forest Division temporarily closed tourist spots, including Doddabetta, Pine Forest, and Avalanchi Eco-Tourism Spot.

The heavy rain has also impacted agriculture, inundating carrot fields in Lawrence and Kappathurai in Avalanchi. Strong winds have damaged garlic crops in the area. Power supply was disrupted for seven hours until noon on Tuesday after a tree fell near a private school in Ooty town, damaging an auto-rickshaw and a car. According to TANGEDCO officials, 24 electric poles were damaged.