Landslide strikes Sikkim’s Upper Rimbi, four killed and three reported missing

A tragic landslide struck Upper Rimbi under the Yangthang Constituency in West Sikkim on Thursday night, leaving at least four people dead and three others missing. Rescue efforts are still underway as officials and local villagers continue to search for the missing individuals. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the growing frequency of landslides in the hilly state, which has been witnessing continuous heavy rainfall.

Rescue operations and casualties reported

According to police reports, three people lost their lives immediately when the landslide struck the village. The sudden movement of mud, rocks, and debris swept through the area, making escape nearly impossible. A team of police officers, supported by local villagers and personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), quickly rushed to the spot to help with rescue operations.

Despite the heavy flow of water in the Hume River, rescuers managed to construct a temporary bridge using tree logs. With this makeshift arrangement, they were able to evacuate two injured women from the affected area. Both women were immediately taken to the district hospital for treatment. Sadly, one of them did not survive her injuries and passed away during treatment. The other woman is currently in critical condition, while three more individuals remain unaccounted for.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Geyzing, Tshering Sherpa, confirmed the details and added that the search for the missing persons is ongoing. He also highlighted the dangerous conditions in the area, which continue to hamper rescue efforts. Authorities are working round the clock to ensure that the missing are located and that survivors get the medical attention they need.

This tragic incident has once again reminded locals of the constant danger posed by landslides in the Himalayan region, especially during the monsoon season when the soil becomes loose and rivers overflow due to continuous rainfall.

Earlier incidents and warnings for residents

This is not the first landslide reported in Sikkim this week. Just a few days earlier, on Monday midnight, another landslide struck a home in Gyalshing district. In that incident, a woman named Bishnu Maya Portel, aged 45, lost her life when her house in Thangshing village was completely destroyed by the slide. Police confirmed that heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the district, increasing the risk for several villages located in vulnerable areas.

Officials have said that the intensity and frequency of landslides have risen due to unstable mountain slopes, heavy rain, and rapid changes in the weather. Houses and farmlands located on steep slopes are at particular risk, making it difficult for residents to live safely during the monsoon.

Following these incidents, district authorities issued an advisory urging people living in landslide-prone regions to remain extremely cautious. They have asked residents to follow safety guidelines, avoid unnecessary travel, and report any signs of land movement to local authorities immediately.

Officials also warned that the risk of further landslides remains high as the weather forecast continues to predict heavy rainfall. Evacuation plans and emergency response teams are being prepared in case more villages are affected. The government has also been asked to strengthen relief operations and improve early warning systems to protect lives in such disasters.

Landslides: a recurring threat in Sikkim

Landslides are a recurring threat in Sikkim and other Himalayan states due to their fragile geography. The steep terrain, combined with frequent rain and human activities like road construction and deforestation, increases the likelihood of soil erosion and slope failure. Over the years, many families have lost lives, property, and livelihoods to such disasters.

Experts suggest that better planning, scientific monitoring of vulnerable slopes, and stricter building regulations could help reduce the risks. However, implementation has often been slow, leaving communities exposed to recurring natural calamities.

For families in Upper Rimbi and Gyalshing, the last few days have been full of tragedy and loss. As rescue teams continue their search for the missing, the priority remains to provide medical care for the injured, support for the affected families, and preventive measures for those still living in dangerous zones.

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Conclusion

The back-to-back landslides in Sikkim have once again highlighted the urgent need for strong disaster management systems in the region. Four lives have already been lost in Upper Rimbi, with three people still missing, while earlier in the week, another woman died in Gyalshing. Authorities are doing their best with limited resources, but unpredictable weather continues to make their job harder.

For the people of Sikkim, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fragile balance between life and nature in the Himalayas. Until long-term solutions are put in place, the risk of such disasters will remain a constant worry for those living in vulnerable areas.