INDIA – Heavy rainfall triggered a bridge collapse and massive landslides in India‘s West Bengal state with the death toll now being at least 24.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said several areas in both North Bengal and South Bengal were flooded due to sudden huge rains.

In a post on the US social media company X’s platform, she advised tourists in North Bengal “to stay put where they are till our police evacuate them safely.”

Raju Bista, a parliamentarian for Darjeeling district in the state, which witnessed landslides, also said that 24 people have died in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that all “possible assistance to those affected will be provided.”

“Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides,” he wrote on X.