Berhampur: Gajapati district administration shut major tourist places and waterfalls to tourists from Tuesday due to heavy rain under the influence of the deep depression. The restriction will be in place till further orders. Among these are Mahendragiri, BN palace, Paralakhemundi and nine waterfalls, said district tourist officer H Sangram.Major waterfalls that attract a large number of tourists include Gandahati, Budubuda in Rayagada block, Khasada and Bramhanadei in Mohana block, Mankadadian and Lingadhara in R.Udayagiri block, Kinchilingi and Purigumi in Nuagada and Kashinagar blocks respectively.The restriction, however, is not imposed on visits to the Buddhist monastery at Jirang. “In the monastery site, there are places to take shelter and place is not in danger. So, it was exempted from the restriction,” he added.The tourists from far-off places in the state and outside the state visit these waterfalls and tourist places, including Mahendragiri, throughout the year. Last year, the district was hit by massive landslides due to heavy rainfall under the influence of the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, which claimed three lives.