Fresh landslide hits Sikkim's Rimbi; 128 shifted to safety as rain continues

A fresh landslide struck Rimbi village in the Yuksom-Tashiding constituency of West Sikkim on Friday, sending mud, rocks and debris down the hillside as rainfall continued in the region. No loss of life has been reported in the incident so far, the news agency ANI said.

Residents said nearby houses, property and road connectivity remain at risk. The Rimbi incident was one of several rain-related disruptions reported across the State following heavy overnight rainfall.

According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, 128 people from 28 houses in vulnerable areas of Rimbi in Gyalshing district were shifted to safer locations after fresh landslide activity and heavy rain. Relief and restoration operations were carried out in Rimbi and Singlitam, with the administration assisting affected residents and clearing accumulated debris.

A landslide also struck Tadong in Gangtok late on Thursday night after heavy rainfall. A video of the incident showed rocks, mud and debris crashing down the hillside.

Last week, another landslide at Lingding in Tadong damaged part of a house, with mud and rainwater entering rooms on the first floor. Three water pipelines were also damaged, affecting the local water supply. The road near Lingding Jhora remained inaccessible for several hours, from around 3 a.m. to 9 a.m., before debris was cleared and traffic movement was restored. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from active landslide zones and to exercise caution as rainfall continues.

Landslides are a recurring hazard in Sikkim, where steep Himalayan slopes and heavy rainfall make hillside settlements and mountain roads vulnerable. In recent years, the State has repeatedly seen road connectivity disrupted during the rainy season, with debris blocking highways and cutting off villages for hours at a time.

Disaster management officials typically advise residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer ground when rainfall intensifies, and to avoid travelling on hill roads where debris may still be unstable. Local administrations are generally tasked with clearing blocked stretches and restoring water and power lines damaged in such incidents.

Further updates on weather conditions and the movement of people from vulnerable areas are awaited. Residents in affected parts of Gyalshing district have been asked to cooperate with the administration as restoration work continues.