Heavy rain triggers landslips on Kodaikanal Ghat Road; police advise avoiding hill town
Heavy rainfall in the Kodaikanal region on Friday triggered landslips at least three locations along the main Ghat Road, disrupting traffic and prompting the Highways Department to clear debris from the route. The rain was recorded for more than two hours on Friday afternoon and caused water to surge across the main Batlagundu-Kodaikanal Ghat road in a flash-flood-like flow.
Traffic on the main route was restored after about an hour. During that time, the area witnessed significant commotion as vehicles and road users were affected by the sudden flow of water and the debris left by the landslips. The disruption underlined how quickly heavy rain can affect movement on the hill roads around Kodaikanal.
The landslips occurred at around three spots, including areas near Srinivasapuram and the Shenbaganur junction. Soil, rocks and vegetation were scattered across the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. The debris covered parts of the carriageway and added to the difficulties faced by travellers on the route.
On receiving information, personnel from the Highways Department conducted an inspection and began work to remove the debris. The intense flow of water near Silver Cascade falls caused soil erosion, resulting in the formation of large and deep potholes on the road. Such damage can make driving hazardous, particularly on steep and winding sections.
The Adukkam-Kodaikanal Ghat road was cut off and traffic was closed on that stretch. Heavy rainfall was also recorded in Palani, where waterlogging was reported in several residential areas. The rain and the resulting road damage highlighted the challenges that intense spells can create in the region during the monsoon.
Kodaikanal is a popular hill station in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The town and its surrounding areas are linked by winding ghat roads, including the Batlagundu-Kodaikanal and Adukkam-Kodaikanal routes. These roads pass through steep terrain and are used by residents, tourists and goods carriers. During periods of heavy rain, water can flow rapidly across the road surface, and saturated soil can give way, leading to landslips and blockages.
The Northeast monsoon brings rain to parts of Tamil Nadu during this period. With the monsoon intensifying, Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar has requested the public to avoid visiting Kodaikanal and Thandikudi. The advisory is intended to reduce the risk to travellers while the region experiences heavy rainfall and related disruptions.
The incident on Friday showed how quickly conditions can change on the ghat roads. While the main Batlagundu-Kodaikanal route was reopened after debris clearance, the Adukkam-Kodaikanal road remained closed to traffic. The available information did not include further details about the full extent of damage or the time required for restoration on all affected stretches.
For people planning to travel to the hill station, the police request to avoid Kodaikanal and Thandikudi is the key advisory. Travellers are generally advised to check road conditions and follow instructions from local authorities during heavy rain, when visibility can fall and road surfaces can become unsafe. Residents in low-lying areas should also remain alert to waterlogging, as was reported in parts of Palani.
