The State Highways on Tuesday restored the narrow 14-km Yelagiri Hills Road near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur after the stretch was badly damaged due to rain for the past few days.

Officials of State Highways, which maintains the stretch, said that it has 14 hairpin bends and is 5.5 metres (30 ft) wide, and connects Jolarpet, Tirupattur, and Vaniyambadi in the plains with 21 tribal habitations atop Yelagiri Hills. “Restoration of the carriageway on the hill road has been completed. We are also monitoring weather updates issued by IMD to undertake safety measures on such hilly stretches,” K. Murali, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Tirupattur), told The Hindu.

Among districts in the region, Ranipet received the highest rainfall of 117.80 mm as of 8.30 a.m on Tuesday, followed by Vellore (86.20 mm) and Tirupattur (27.50 mm). Ambur has registered maximum rainfall of 27.50 mm, followed by Katpadi (25 mm) and Arcot (23.20 mm).

Motorists said that many trees on the hillock were uprooted due to winds and rain. These blocked the carriageway, especially at the fourth and the fifth hairpin bend on the stretch. As the two-lane stretch does not have streetlights, motorists have to risk themselves in using the road at night.

The hills have been witnessing a steady flow of tourists for a week because of schools reopening after summer vacation in the coming week. As per records, around 10,000 vehicles use the stretch to reach the hills every day. “Yelagiri Hills has been a major tourist spot in the region. Soil in the hills, especially along the carriageway, should be strengthened to prevent any untoward incidents during rain,” said B. Prabhu, a motorist.

Highways officials said earthen retaining walls in 10 identified spots were built to prevent accidental fall of rocks from the hilly portion and to strengthen the re-laid carriageway. Each wall is 1.5 ft high and one foot wide.

Due to unseasonal rain in recent weeks, Highways officials said that 20 staff of the department were divided into small teams and have been camped at identified vulnerable spots on the stretch for the past few days to undertake repair and restoration work. They were supported by earthmovers and other equipment. They were also roped in to ensure free flow of traffic on the route. They were also briefed about weather updates to undertake preventive steps on the route.