A giant tree near Kallar on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor mountain road fell across the road due to northeast monsoon rains, causing traffic disruption. Fire and police departments are working to clear the road.
Coimbatore: The northeast monsoon has caused widespread rainfall across various parts of Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts. The Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy rains in these areas for the next three days. In Mettupalayam, the weather pattern has been characterized by sunny days and rainy nights.
On the Mettupalayam-Coonoor mountain road, between Kallar and the second hairpin bend, a massive tree suddenly uprooted and fell across the road, blocking traffic completely.
Vehicles on both sides of the road were left stranded in long queues. Upon receiving information about the incident, Mettupalayam police and fire department personnel rushed to the scene.
The fire department used power saws to cut the fallen tree into smaller pieces. A JCB vehicle was employed to clear the cut logs from the road. Despite the pouring rain, the clearing operation continued through the night with the aid of powerful lights. Traffic on this route is expected to resume only after the road is fully cleared, which is anticipated to be completed by morning.
This incident highlights the challenges posed by the northeast monsoon in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu, particularly affecting transportation and requiring prompt response from emergency services to maintain connectivity.