Landslide damages homes, roads in Sikkim’s Rimbi village amid heavy rain

A major landslide struck Rimbi village under the Yuksom-Tashiding constituency in West Sikkim late on September 24, damaging property and infrastructure after continuous rainfall in the area.

No casualties have been reported so far.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang responded with a public statement expressing deep concern, saying he was “deeply saddened and concerned by the situation in Rimbi, Gyalshing district, following the severe landslides”. He said the safety and well-being of residents remained the government’s top priority and confirmed that authorities had been directed to remain on high alert, closely monitor developments and take every possible measure to protect the public.

The CM acknowledged the prolonged hardship faced by Rimbi’s residents, noting that difficulties in the area had persisted for some time — a reference to an earlier active landslide in August that had already put more than 150 people at risk in the same locality. He urged people to remain vigilant amid the ongoing torrential rain, follow official advisories and support one another, adding that the government would continue taking all necessary steps to protect residents.

The incident comes as Sikkim remains under a weather alert issued by the Meteorological Centre, Gangtok, which has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state over the next two days.

Gyalshing, Namchi and Soreng districts have been placed under an orange alert for September 24 and 25. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected at isolated places in these districts on Thursday, while heavy rainfall is likely on Friday.

Gangtok, Mangan and Pakyong are under a yellow alert for the same period, with heavy rain likely at one or two places.

The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places across Sikkim between September 24 and 26. Rain is expected at many places on September 27 before easing to a few places between September 28 and 30.

The warning level is expected to drop to nil across all six districts from September 26, with no significant warning forecast through October 1.

Gyalshing, Namchi and Soreng are expected to remain the areas of greater concern through Friday because of the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Weather conditions are likely to improve gradually across the state from the weekend.