Tourists Barred from Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud Amid Rains

Tourists have been barred from entering the hill stations of Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud in Tamil Nadu as heavy rain continues in the western districts. Minister Sengottaiyan announced the restriction after a review in Chennai.

The minister also reported that 14 people have died from lightning strikes since the northeast monsoon began. He presented the figure at a briefing following a meeting at the emergency operations centre.

Under the precautionary order, entry to the hill stations is limited to essential travel. Tourist visits will remain prohibited in Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud until further notice.

The review examined the impact of heavy rain in Nilgiris and Coimbatore, rescue work, and measures to restore normal life in the affected regions. Officials shared updates on the situation with the minister during the meeting.

Sengottaiyan said that accumulated water in Coimbatore and Nilgiris had been removed. He noted that clearing the stagnant water had enabled residents of the affected areas to return to their routines.

He further said that a driver trapped in a landslide in Nilgiris had been identified, and his family had been given Rs 4 lakh as financial assistance. The minister cited this aid while outlining the government's response to the rain.

On the monsoon deaths, he clarified that the 14 fatalities since the season began were caused by lightning during storms. The figure covered lightning deaths only and was not a complete count of all rain-related fatalities in the state.

The government, he said, was committed to providing clear updates on rainfall conditions. His remarks were part of a briefing on the review of western districts and the steps being taken in response to the heavy rain, including the curbs on tourist movement in the hills.