Nilgiri Mountain Railway Suspended for 2nd Day Amid Landslides
Heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu has brought the iconic Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) to a standstill. For the second consecutive day, services remain suspended as the region battles severe weather and geological instability along the tracks.
Chaos on the Mettupalayam–Coonoor Ghat Section
The Southern Railway's Salem Division confirmed that the disruption is centered on the critical stretch between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam. Persistent downpours, especially in and around the Coonoor area, have triggered multiple landslides and uprooted trees, making the tracks unsafe for travel.
The situation turned critical on Friday, October 9, when a train carrying approximately 200 tourists was forced to abort its journey and return to Mettupalayam after landslips blocked the Mettupalayam–Coonoor ghat section.
Massive Restoration Efforts Underway
Railway personnel are working tirelessly to clear the debris and restore normalcy to the mountain route. One of the major hurdles encountered was a massive boulder obstructing the tracks; however, railway teams successfully removed it through controlled blasting on Friday.
Despite these efforts, safety inspections and track clearance remain the top priority. The Salem Division has stated that all services in both directions will remain cancelled until the affected sections are thoroughly inspected and declared safe for passenger operations.
Weather Alerts and Local Impact
The uncertainty is compounded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has issued heavy-rain warnings for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, adding to the operational challenges.
The suspension has caused significant hardship for various groups who depend on this lifeline, including:
- Tourists visiting the Nilgiri hills.
- Local plantation workers.
- Students and residents of remote hill settlements.
As of now, no official date has been announced for the resumption of services, leaving many travelers and locals in a state of uncertainty.