The tourist season in Darjeeling has set in from April, and hotel bookings have recorded an upsurge since the last week, when summer in Kolkata and other south Bengal districts turned unbearable.

Since last week, Kolkata and the rest of south Bengal are witnessing an average temperature of 40 degree Celsius. In places like Bankura, the temperature even went up to 45 degrees. On the other hand, the temperature in Darjeeling, remains pleasant with day’s lowest temperature hovering around 12 to 13 degree Celsius, while the maximum is between 22 to 23 degree Celsius.

According to Sudesh Poddar, president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), the more unconformable the weather gets in south Bengal, the more number of tourists will flock to Darjeeling to experience cold weather. “Hotels business is doing extremely well and it is becoming difficult to get rooms. It is booming in places where the temperature is pleasant,” Poddar told The Indian Express.

The Chowrasta or the Mall, which is the heart of Darjeeling town, was bustling with tourists. There would be one domestic tourist from the state out of every three who are thronging Darjeeling.

“We decided to flee Kolkata in literal sense. As there was no train ticket, we took a bus to Siliguri and from there took a cab to Darjeeling. We plan to stay for few more days till the weather gets better in the plains,” said Samir Dutta, a resident of Lake Town in north Kolkata who came with his family.

The Glenary’s, the most sought-after cafe and bakery in Darjeeling, was buzzing with activities as customers jostled for a seat. “It seems everyone has decided to flock to Darjeeling now. We have been here several times but never seen such large number of crowds here,” said Rohan Goswami from Dum Dum in North 24 Parganas district who is vacationing in the hill town for five days with his wife.

Tea shops, roadside hawkers and cab drivers are also happy to see the influx of tourists. “Bookings are coming thick and fast. No driver is making either uphill or downhill trips without passengers. We hope this will increase in the coming days,” said Prem Moktan, a local cab driver.

Reshma Chhetri, who was selling woollens outside the famous Keventer’s cafe, told The Indian Express, “The people didn’t expect the weather to be this cold as they are buying sweaters and woollen caps after arriving here.”

Amit Khatri, owner of Hotel Broadway, said, “The flow of tourists is good. Most of the hotels are at 100 per cent capacity.”