West Sikkim Landslide Isolates SSB Base and Tourism Route

Gangtok: A massive landslide wiped out a section of highway in West Sikkim on Wednesday, September 2. The collapse severed road access to the 72nd Battalion headquarters of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Yuksom. It also choked off a primary tourism corridor. The disaster hit at Rimbi, roughly 4.5 kilometers from the base, between 6:30 and 7:00 am. Heavy water flow from the Siksa Khola stream triggered the failure. Officials confirmed no casualties occurred.

The destroyed path connects Geyzing, Pelling, and Yuksom. This circuit holds deep historical weight. Pelling offers views of the Khangchendzonga range. Yuksom served as Sikkim's first capital and the site where the inaugural Chogyal took the throne in 1642. The town also hosts the Dubdi Monastery, the oldest in the state. An official statement noted, "A large quantity of landslide debris, accompanied by a heavy flow of water from Siksa Khola, caused damage to the road on the Geyzing-Pelling-Yuksom route, resulting in complete disruption of connectivity."

Authorities took action fast. The Commandant of the 72nd Battalion, the Gyalshing District Magistrate, police, and government staff inspected the site. They are currently planning repairs. The SSB has dispatched its Rescue Relief Team to clear the mess. These crews are working alongside district authorities to help stranded residents. Temporary access might return in three or four days, weather permitting. Permanent fixes will take longer. Rebuilding the 30-meter stretch and shoring up the local bridge will likely drag on for three to four months.