Heavy Rain Forecast: Collector Asks To Avoid Travel To Ooty Till May 20

Amid the expectations of heavy rain in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the District administration has asked the people to avoid travelling to the Nilgiris District till May 20. The administration has also exhorted tourists to refrain from travelling to the popular summer destination, Ooty, Nilgiris District Collector M Aruna informed.

Ooty tourism is already experiencing difficulties due to the restrictions, including the government E-pass and vehicle limitations. Ooty”s famous “Flower Show,” scheduled till May 20, is likely to suffer further. The show has been already hit with travel restrictions.

The new order was made against visiting the hilly destination following the Indian Metrological Department”s orang-alert forecast in the Nilgiris district. The Collected further said that “a very heavy rain of 6 cm-20 cm” has been predicted on May 18, 19 and 20. 

After a meeting regarding disaster-response preparedness, the collector said that those coming here should have all the required protection. “If possible you can avoid travelling here during this period,” she said.  The collector also chaired a meeting with officials of the Revenue, Police and Fire and Rescue Services department. 

“Nearly 3,500 disaster response personnel and required equipment including earthmovers were on standby. About 450 temporary shelters have also been kept ready and people have also been asked to stay indoors,” the collector added.

Notably, there were reports regarding the decline in the number of tourists in Ooty after the travel restrictions. The government had introduced an E-pass to enter the hilly destination because of the rush.

People are flocking to Ooty in the summer seasons to escape the harsh weather. The administration had also placed restrictions on the entry of heavy vehicles, including tourist buses to Ooty.