A boulder from Yercaud hills rolled down to the Salem – Yercaud ghat road in the early hours of Tuesday and created panic among road users.
The hill station of Yercaud has been receiving widespread rainfall for the past few days, leading to artificial waterfalls at a few places. The rainfall has ensured adequate inflow of water into the water bodies on the hills.
With the district receiving heavy rain on Monday night, a big boulder rolled down the hill near the police check-post, about three km from the foothills on the Yercaud ghat road, much before the break of dawn.
Fortunately, the boulder did not roll on to the road. The people passing by the spot at that time alerted the police and the highways department officials.
The highways department officials rushed to the spot and launched steps for removing the boulder. Adequate police men were posted at the spot to ensure free movement of vehicles in both directions.
The highways sources said that with rainfall likely to continue, the officials are keeping a close watch of the entire ghat section. The vehicle users have been directed to be careful while proceeding on the ghat road.