Monsoons in the Nilgiris are affecting the topography: Abuse of the hills could be the reason!

By D. Radhakrishnan

It is monsoon time in the Nilgiris. It is that time when the normally welcome rains evoke mixed reactions. Often more dreaded than viewed as a boon. It is that time when almost continuous overcast conditions, a constant nip in the air, and incessant thunder showers hit normal life, particularly in places like Ooty, Kotagiri, and Coonoo,r leading to even those dependent on rains for their livelihood sometimes throwing up their hands in exasperation.

Nothing illustrates the two sides of the season better than a drive between Ooty on the hills and Mettupalayam in the foothills. Covering about 54 kilometres of the winding ghat road punctuated by several hairpin bends, motorists are forced to keep their eyes peeled, not only on the rain-drenched road and the oncoming vehicles but also on the ravaged hillsides and the trees, which look like they will come down anytime. While the sight of minor landslips and news of traffic disruptions due to uprooting of trees put a prayer on their lips, what gives them hope of reaching their destination in time is the sight of police personnel and workers of various departments engaged in clearing roadblocks and keeping the traffic moving. This writer learns that the district administration led by the Collector, Mrs. Lakshmi Bhavia Tanneeru, has left no stone unturned in keeping the district machinery on a high alert.

Fear factor aside, many, particularly tourists, are enjoying the drive up to Ooty or down to Merttupalayam. With clouds gently floating around the hills and down in the valleys, tourists are braving the rain to take pictures.

Thanks to the current wet spell the hills along the ghat road are now sparkling at a number of places. The reason? The rains have triggered several small and large waterfalls. They have become major attractions, and tourists ascending or descending in cars, vans, and buses are stopping to take photographs. However, ecologists are of the view that such developments should be taken serious note of and studies should be initiated by experts. They opine that such waterfalls can be an indication of a healthy or an unhealthy ecosystem.

They explain that if the cascades remain and the flow continues, it can be treated as a good sign. However, if they disappear after the rain stops, they should be viewed as flash floods, and appropriate precautionary measures taken. Stating that tourists should exercise utmost caution while standing in or near such waterfalls for taking photographs, they cautioned that, along with the stormwater, there are chances of boulders rolling down.

It would be very difficult to escape if such a thing happened. The authorities should display warning signs and the disaster management personnel who patrol the road should caution the tourists.

Old timers are recalling rainfall-related tragedies of the past, like the deluge of November 1978, which caused colossal damage to life and property.