By Smritika Banerjee
A landslide struck Upper Rimbi in West Sikkim’s Yangthang constituency, late Thursday night. The disaster left at least four people dead, prompting urgent rescue efforts to find any missing individuals.
Reports indicate that a family was trapped inside their home as it was swallowed by mud and falling rocks. Rescue teams are currently working tirelessly to search for survivors and assess the extent of the damage.
Triggered by relentless rainfall in the region, the Armed Border Force (SSB), local police, and villagers have come together to assist those affected by the recent disaster. The rescue operations are turning out to be very challenging because of the remote hilly terrain and ongoing harsh weather conditions.
Demonstrating remarkable determination, rescuers managed to evacuate two injured women by constructing a makeshift bridge from a fallen tree log across the raging Hume River. Both women have been sent to a nearby hospital, where one remains in critical condition.
According to Geising Tshering Sherpa, the local Superintendent of Police, three individuals lost their lives at the scene of a landslide, while a fourth succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the hospital. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased. The community
continues to rally in the face of this tragedy, despite the formidable natural obstacles.
This recent tragedy highlights the region’s ongoing vulnerability to severe weather conditions. National Highway 10, a vital route linking Siliguri to Sikkim, serving as a lifeline for residents and travelers alike, has experienced repeated closures in recent months due to landslides. These disruptions have severely impacted daily life and tourism in the area.
This incident follows a series of destructive landslides that struck North Sikkim earlier this year in April and June, underscoring the persistent challenges posed by nature’s fury in the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and the potential for thunderstorms across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. These adverse weather conditions through next Wednesday. Authorities are advising residents and visitors to stay alert and exercise caution as the region prepares for the ongoing spell of inclement weather.