10 villages cut off due to heavy landslide in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu

Tea gardens and agricultural lands in and around Kothagiri were also washed away due to the landslide spread over 200 metres near Uyilhatti falls, affecting 10 villages, officials said.

As many as 10 villages around Kukkalthorai near here in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu were cut off from mainstream on Thursday, following heavy landslide on Kothagiri road, officials said.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that stagnation of water in farmlands, construction of water tanks and ponds, as the main reason for the landslide. (ANI Photo) (For representation purpose) (File)

The roads connecting the 10 villages with towns were completely buried in the debris, paralysing the vehicular movement in the villages, coming under Udhagamandalam Panchayat, they added.

Tea gardens and agricultural lands in and around Kothagiri were also washed away due to the landslide spread over 200 metres near Uyilhatti falls, affecting 10 villages, officials said.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that stagnation of water in farmlands, construction of water tanks and ponds, as the main reason for the landslide, the official sources said.

Officials and workers from highway department, district administration, police and fire and rescue department rushed to the spot to assist the clearing of the debris. However, the operations were affected fearing possibility of landslide while removing the debris, they said.