Disasters · Burliyar landslideBurliyar landslide bus: Driver killed, more than 300 stranded travellers evacuatedAired October 25, 2026 at 5:45 AM UTCWritten October 25, 2026 at 5:54 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07A landslide buried a state bus and killed its driver.0:10His conductor suffered serious injuries and rescuers brought more than 300 stranded0:15road users to safety.0:17When can travelers safely use the damaged mountain road again?0:20The driver was Janagaraj 55.0:23Rescuers pulled conductor Kezavan from the bus and took him to Metupalayam0:27Government Hospital.0:28The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation service was traveling from Kunur toward0:32Coimbatore.0:33Only the driver and conductor were aboard when the landslide struck.0:36The bus was descending toward Metupalayam when the hillside fell near Berliar by the0:41Coimbatore-Nilgiris border.0:44These mountain roads link the foothills with Coinor and Uttagamandalam.0:48Another approach to the hills runs through Kodagiri.0:51The landslide struck overnight on October 23 into October 24, 2026.0:56Sheba, a tourist traveling behind the bus, said it hit around 11 on Friday night.1:02The precise timing is disputed between late Friday and Saturday's early hours.1:06The earlier passenger total is disputed.1:09Three passengers reportedly got off at Kurumpati.1:12Kesavan said all seven had already been dropped off.1:15About 50 reportedly changed buses after a puncture.1:18Nobody has explained how those totals fit together.1:20Sheba described two landslips within about one kilometer.1:24She reached safety in Metupalayam around noon on Saturday.1:27Rocks, mud, and an uprooted tree severely damaged the bus, while other landslips1:32blocked the mountain road.1:33Berliar received 250 millimeters of rain in the 24 hours ending at 7 on Saturday1:39morning.1:39The district classified that as extremely heavy rainfall.1:43Intermittent rain continued during the rescue, hampering crews trying to move along1:47the blocked road.1:48A mini-goods carrier also fell into a gorge at the landslip site.1:52Its driver, Mushin38, climbed out and reached safety.1:56He was taken to Kunur Government Hospital for treatment.1:59His treatment was separate from Kesevan's admission in Metupalayam.2:02The stranded travelers included 241 students and 25 teachers from two Kerala schools2:07visiting Uttagamandalam.2:09They were among the road users brought to Metupalayam.2:12Marriage and community halls and a school provided accommodation, and officials2:15supplied food including Saturday breakfast.2:18Medical teams stood by as the travelers reached the foothills.2:21Rescuers had to reach a stretch 7 to 10 kilometers up from there.2:25That distance describes their difficult approach to the site, while traffic2:29congestion further slowed their movement.2:31Rescue operations began around 6 on Saturday morning.2:34Six fire and rescue services teams came from Coimbatore.2:37Tamil Nadu and national disaster response teams joined them, alongside disaster2:42personnel stationed in Uttagamandalam and ambulance staff, while rain continued to2:46hinder access.2:48Coimbatore collector Paven Kumar Giriapanavar described the evacuation and access2:53difficulties.2:54Ministers V.2:55Sampath Kumar and S.2:56Kamali inspected the affected stretch.2:58Sampath Kumar said Kezavan's condition was being monitored, and alternative3:02transport would be arranged for stranded travelers.3:04The district warned that more landslips, falling trees, rock falls, and sudden3:08flooding could follow.3:09It advised the public and tourists to avoid the mountain roads via Konor and3:13Kotagiri and to follow district and meteorological warnings.3:16Sampath Kumar said the affected section would stay closed until further notice.3:20Separately, the district suspended traffic, including public transport, from 6 in3:25the evening to 6 in the morning for three days.3:27Essential and emergency vehicles were exempt.3:29The advisory urged people to avoid unnecessary tourist visits and stay away from3:33flooded roads, overflowing streams, and low-lying areas.3:37It also warned them to keep away from electric poles and wires during rain.3:40No reopening date has been confirmed for the damaged section.3:43The three-night restriction doesn't automatically reopen it.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗
