Bus driver killed as landslip hits Nilgiris ghat road, hundreds stranded

A driver for the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) died when his bus was swept up in a major landslip on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor ghat road in the Nilgiris district on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Burliyar, a section of the mountain pass prone to such incidents during heavy rainfall. Emergency services rushed to the scene to assist with rescue and recovery operations. The identity of the deceased driver was not immediately confirmed. The state transport authority has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Authorities said multiple landslips occurred along the ghat section, effectively cutting off the mountain corridor and trapping more than 300 people, including bus passengers and other commuters, at various points along the road. Heavy machinery and personnel were deployed to clear the debris and restore passage. Officials warned that the monsoon season continues to pose significant risks to traffic along the scenic but treacherous mountain routes connecting the Nilgiri hills with the plains below.