With the torrential downpour not relenting for the past few days, a major landslip was reported at the third hairpin bend on Pollachi - Valparai ghat road on Thursday at around 4 a.m. The landslip occurred for about a km and was cleared within three hours.
Traffic was restored at around 6.45 a.m.
According to Valparai Tahsildhar A.K. Shyamala, motorists find it difficult to use the road because of minor landslips and boulders from the hills that had rolled onto the road at many places.
All the vehicles were stopped at the Attakkatti forest check post for a few hours.
G. Vigneshwaran (36), Assistant Engineer of Sholayar Dam Power House II, was caught under a tree during a landslide near the powerhouse and died on the spot. Three casual workers escaped unhurt.
As rain continues in western ghats, Nadumalai River has been in spate since last night following the release of nearly 28,000 cusecs of water from Sholaiyar Reservoir.
As a result, the retaining wall of the TNSTC depot was damaged and river water entered the depot. Fire and Rescue Services personnel rescued the crew and technical staff at the depot.