A massive landslide hit Upper Rimbi in Yangthang constituency of West Sikkim on Friday morning, leaving four people dead and three others missing. The incident has triggered an urgent rescue operation by police, disaster teams, and local volunteers.
Officials said that three people were killed on the spot when the hillside collapsed, burying homes and blocking the area. Two women were pulled out alive after a risky rescue operation in which teams built a temporary log bridge across the fast-flowing Hume River. Both victims were rushed to the district hospital, but one of them later died due to her injuries. The other woman remains in critical condition.
Search operations are still underway to trace the three missing persons. However, rescue efforts are being slowed down by rough terrain, heavy rain, and unstable soil. Personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and district administration are working with local residents to clear debris and search through the affected zone.
Authorities have asked nearby villagers to stay away from landslide-prone slopes as continuous rainfall has weakened the ground further. Temporary shelters have been arranged for affected families, while emergency medical teams are on alert.
The landslide is believed to have been triggered by days of heavy rainfall that loosened the fragile mountainside. Sikkim frequently experiences such disasters during the monsoon, raising concerns over safety measures and preparedness in vulnerable regions. Officials said the priority now is to save lives and provide relief to those displaced by the tragedy.
