Full Breakdown
Mudslide Buries TNSTC Bus in Nilgiris, Driver Killed and Conductor Injured
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
During the night of October 23-24, a landslide on the Coonoor-Mettupalayam ghat road near Burliyar struck a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus. The driver, Janagaraj, was trapped and later died; conductor Kesavan was rescued after more than eight hours and is receiving treatment for severe injuries. No passengers were on board; earlier passengers had alighted before the bus reached Burliyar.
Background & Context
The event occurred amid a Northeast Monsoon red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department for very heavy rainfall on October 24. Authorities warned against travel on hill roads, closed tourist spots and advised the public to avoid the ghat roads until conditions improved.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall (24-hour totals): Burliyar 250 mm, Kil Kotagiri 200 mm, Mettupalayam 145 mm.
- District-wide cumulative rainfall: 2,152.6 mm across 31 gauges (average 69.44 mm).
- Landslides: 19 reported locations; 18 fallen-tree incidents.
- Vehicles stranded: over 200, affecting more than 300 people.
- Rescue timeline: teams arrived ~5 a.m.; conductor extracted at 7:30 a.m.; driver’s body recovered at 11:10 a.m.
Official Statements & Responses
District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said heavy rain caused the landslips and that clearance began on Saturday morning, with roads to reopen only after debris removal and stability checks. Ministers V Sampath Kumar and S Kamali stressed public safety and exempted essential vehicles from travel bans. The Coimbatore administration imposed a curfew on ghat roads from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. for three days and coordinated shelter, food and medical aid for stranded travelers.
On-the-Ground Reports
Teachers with Kerala school groups reported their buses were halted by falling trees and mud but escaped damage. Local residents rescued from a washed-away house reported property loss and sought compensation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Driver’s age: sources list Janagaraj as 51 or 55.
- Passenger count: reports vary from three alighted passengers to a bus that originally carried around 40, while overall stranded numbers exceed 300 across vehicles.
- Time of landslide: some accounts place it at 10 p.m., others describe “late on Friday night” without a precise hour.
What’s Next
The IMD forecasts continued heavy rainfall for the Nilgiris and neighboring districts. Authorities urge tourists to avoid travel to the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal and maintain the road-closure advisory until debris clearance and stability checks are completed. The district emergency helpline (1077) remains active for assistance and reporting of rain-related damage.