The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) cancelled all its services on Friday following heavy rain in Coonoor and parts of Udhagamandalam (Ooty), which triggered widespread landslips along the Coonoor–Ooty rail line, according to a communiqué issued by Southern Railway.

In a press statement, the Salem Division of Southern Railway said that boulders had rolled onto the tracks at a few locations between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam (Ooty).

“All train services between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam have been cancelled on January 2, 2026,” the statement said, adding that restoration works are underway to resume operations as early as possible.

Sources, however, confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries, nor any significant damage to the rail infrastructure, due to the landslides or falling stones.

Earth slips were detected at three locations along the railway line, while rolling rocks from the surrounding hills damaged portions of the track at several spots.

V Rajanagam, a resident of Jagathala in Coonoor, described the rainfall as “rarest of the rare” during the winter season. He said that two cars and a motorcycle were damaged in landslips within Coonoor town alone. “As many as 10 landslips were reported in the Coonoor region,” he added.

As per official data from the Nilgiris district administration, Coonoor received 215 mm of rainfall, while neighbouring Kotagiri recorded 114 mm.

Tourism Hit
Tourism activities in the district were severely affected by the sudden downpour. Tourist inflow from Mettupalayam to Ooty dropped sharply on Friday following rain alerts, sources said.

Although Ooty town received only light rain on Friday, tourism was partially disrupted. Many tourists who arrived in Ooty in the morning began their return journey in the afternoon due to poor weather.