Chennai: Continuous heavy rainfall in the Nilgiris has led to the temporary closure of all major tourist spots in Ooty, the district administration announced on Tuesday. The move follows a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for both the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts, forecasting extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours.
The shutdown affects several popular destinations, including the Ooty Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Doddabetta Viewpoint, Pine Forest, the Shooting Spot, Pykara Waterfalls, and the Avalanche Eco-tourism Centre. Boathouses at Ooty Lake and Pykara Lake, which typically attract thousands of tourists, have also been closed until further notice. Dolphin’s Nose, a prominent viewpoint in the region, is among the locations affected.
Both districts have been experiencing unrelenting downpours over the past several days, prompting swift action by local authorities to safeguard public safety. In view of the worsening weather conditions, the Nilgiris district administration has strongly urged tourists to postpone travel plans and avoid visiting the hill station at this time.
“We understand that this is a peak travel season, but public safety is our top priority,” a senior official from the Nilgiris administration said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will reopen tourist destinations once the weather improves and conditions are deemed safe.”
The prolonged rainfall has also disrupted tourism-related activities, leading to hotel booking cancellations and a surge in requests to reschedule planned tours. Travel agencies are responding to a wave of changes from concerned tourists.
Transport officials have issued advisories for motorists, urging extreme caution on hilly routes that have become slippery and prone to landslides. Emergency response teams and disaster management personnel have been placed on high alert, with coordination underway across departments to manage the situation effectively.
Authorities have instructed tourists already present in Ooty to remain indoors and refrain from visiting forested or low-lying areas. Residents and local businesses have also been advised to stay vigilant and adhere strictly to safety guidelines issued by the government.
The district administration has assured the public that timely updates will be provided as the weather situation evolves.
With IANS inputs