Popular Nainital tourist spot Dorothy's Seat collapses after landslide

Nainital: Dorothy's Seat, Nainital's famous tourist spot also known as Tiffin Top, has collapsed following a landslide caused by heavy rain. There were no casualties.

The collapse occurred around 11 pm on Tuesday. The town echoed with a loud bang and huge boulders came crashing down, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Pramod Kumar said.

Deep cracks had developed in the hill leading to Tiffin Top causing Dorothy's Seat, a round platform on top of a flight of steps with a bench on it, to crack as well, officials said. On Tuesday night, the structure finally gave way after heavy showers.

Dinesh Suntha, a local tea shop owner, said he learnt about the landslide from his nephew Ashutosh sleeping inside the shop.

The fear of rain and falling boulders kept people away from the spot, he said.

Dorothy's Seat, situated at a height of 2,290 metres, was built by British Army officer Colonel Kellett in memory of his wife who loved to sit on the spot and paint. She died of septicemia on a ship en route to England.

Tiffin Top, a three kilometre gentle trek from Nainital, offers panoramic views of the lake town and of the Himalayas on clear days and is popular with locals and tourists alike.