While Northern and Central Kerala are bearing the brunt of rain fury and associated landslides, the incessant rains in the Western Ghats have wreaked havoc in the neighbouring Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu. More than five people have been killed and several hundred were evacuated to safer palaces as the rain continues to batter the area which is famous for its scenic beauty that attracts lakhs of people from around the world. The adjustment district Coimbatore is also facing flood-like situation due to heavy rain and heavy inflow of floodwater from the hills to the rivers like Bhavani.
Floods, landslides, and damaged roads due to non-stop rain since the last three days have resulted in the death of four women and a child. Four women died in two separate rain-induced incidents in Nilgiris district on Thursday. Vimala and Sushila, both 47 years old and working in government fields in Nanjanad village were killed when they were returning home. According to the Ooty Rural police, the two women were swept away by the gushing water. A mother and daughter were also killed in Ooty on Thursday night as the wall of their house collapsed on them while they were sleeping. Amudha (37) was sleeping with her daughter Kavya (12) and son Lokesh (12) in their house in Indra Nagar in Ooty.
Meanwhile, Avalanche, a nondescript village 20 km from Ooty, entered into history books with its record 911 mm of rain over a 24-hour period that ended on Friday morning. The area witnessed 45 cm rain again on Friday which caused massive waterlogging, landslips and uprooted trees in the area. The area received almost 213.6 cm rain in the last three days which is the highest in South India.
According to Pradip John, a weather blogger, Cherrapunji holds the world record for two-day (48-hour) rainfall with 2493 mm recorded on 15–16 June 1995. The previous world 48-hour rainfall record of 2467 mm was with the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion (France) in April 1958.
Many people who live in the low-lying areas have been moved to government-run relief camps in the Emerald area, around six km from Avalanche while the district authorities are trying to restore some normalcy in the region. Personnel from the State and National Disaster Response Force are on the ground and helicopters flying out of Sulur Airfield have airlifted several people to safer palaces.
Gudalur, around 50 km from Ooty, which connects the district with Karnataka and Kerala is also facing relentless rains and related landslips on the roads which have brought vehicular movement to a grinding halt.
In Coimbatore city and surroundings, floodwater had entered a few houses in Azad Nagar, Vedampatti and a few other areas. Fire and Rescue Department sources said the inundation in Azad Nagar was a result of the full flow of water in the Noyyal. The river is flowing in full strength causing inundation on its banks.