At least 20 people have died in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, due to heavy rainfall that triggered massive landslides. The landslides have disrupted road connectivity, isolating several hill areas and cutting off access to the neighboring state of Sikkim.In response to the ongoing threat, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has decided to shut down major tourist attractions in Darjeeling, including Tiger Hill and the Rock Garden, to ensure public safety. Additionally, toy train services have been suspended, and authorities have advised tourists to stay where they are until conditions improve.
The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has assured that police and rescue teams are actively working to assist those stranded and to restore normalcy in the affected areas. She urged tourists to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation as more rain is expected in the coming days.