4 Dead, 3 Missing After Landslide Amid Heavy Rainfall, Search and Rescue Operations Continue

Gangtok (The Uttam Hindu): Amid continuous heavy rainfall in Sikkim, a tragic landslide has claimed the lives of four people, while three others remain missing. A rescue operation is currently underway to locate the missing individuals. The district administration has urged residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and follow safety advisories as the region continues to experience intense rainfall.

The incident occurred late Thursday night in Upper Rimbi, located in the Yangthang Assembly constituency of West Sikkim. Upon receiving the alert, police, local residents, and personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) quickly launched a joint relief and rescue operation.

In one of the rescue efforts, police constructed a temporary bridge using tree trunks across the swollen Hum River to reach and save two injured women. Both were rushed to the district hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, one of the women succumbed to her injuries during treatment, while the other remains in critical condition.

According to Geyzing’s Superintendent of Police Tsering Sherpa, three individuals died on the spot due to the landslide, while a fourth person died at the hospital. The deceased have been identified as Bheem Prasad Limbu (53), his sister Anita Limbu (46), his son-in-law Bimal Rai (50), and his 7-year-old granddaughter Anjal Rai.

Yangthang MLA and Labour Minister Bheem Hang Limboo reached the site around 2 AM and personally supervised the rescue efforts. He noted the challenges posed by the relentless rainfall and damaged roads but credited coordinated efforts for making the rescue possible.

This marks the second fatal landslide in Sikkim within a week. On Monday night, a separate landslide struck Thangshing village in Gyalshing district, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Bishnu.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have intensified their warnings to residents living in landslide-prone areas, urging them to take all necessary precautions as rainfall is expected to persist. Emergency response teams remain on high alert across the region.