Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Landslides triggered by relentless rainfall are battering Sikkim’s Gyalshing district. Officials have ordered urgent evacuations as the earth gives way. Since September 12, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority reported severe damage to homes and public infrastructure at Singlitam and Rimbi. Conditions worsened significantly after flooding on September 14.
Authorities have cleared 28 houses in Rimbi, relocating 128 people to the Rimbi Gram Panchayat Kendra. Initially, they moved 18 people from four vulnerable homes, but the expanding slide forced a larger exodus. Seven households comprising over 33 people, including children and the elderly, now occupy a relief center at Singlitam Ward.
Mandir Point serves as the epicenter of the destruction. Debris clogs the NiK Kholsa stream, threatening sudden floods. The rushing water already demolished an RCC bridge, and the Rimbi River has shifted its course to gouge the roadside flank. Officials confirmed, "The District Administration, District Disaster Management Authority, concerned departments and local Panchayat representatives are closely monitoring the situation and continuing relief, response and safety measures."
The Roads and Bridges Department is fighting to clear debris and restore access. A temporary bamboo bridge will start construction September 15 to restore basic movement. Meanwhile, the state plans to build a Bailey Bridge at a higher elevation to replace the road lost on May 14, 2026. The SDM for Yuksom is currently assessing land damage to determine compensation.
The Rimbi ICDS Centre sits directly below the slide zone. Heavy rain flooded the facility, forcing officials to consider moving it permanently. The administration has installed floodlights at the site to track movement during the night. They are also delivering poly-alkathene pipes to fix severed water lines. Residents must stay clear of stream beds and report any new cracks or ground movement immediately.
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