Sikkim landslide tragedy: Four dead, three feared missing amid heavy rain

Sikkim landslide

A devastating landslide struck the remote village of Upper Rimbi in West Sikkim’s Yangthang constituency in the early hours of Friday, resulting in the confirmed deaths of four individuals, with a further three people reported missing.

According to media reports, the disaster occurred at midnight, with three individuals killed instantly at the scene. As detailed by Geyzing Superintendent of Police Tshering Sherpa, a complex rescue operation was swiftly launched involving local police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, and residents from nearby villages.

The response effort faced significant challenges due to severe weather. To reach the victims, who were stranded by the aftermath of the slide, rescuers were forced to construct a makeshift bridge from tree logs to cross the dangerously flooded Hume River, as was confirmed by officials.

#WATCH | Sikkim | Four dead and three missing after a landslide in Upper Rimbi under the Yangthang Constituency in West Sikkim at midnight. Three individuals were killed on the spot when the landslide hit. The police team, in coordination with local villagers and SSB personnel,… https://t.co/wafkzs0Qiw pic.twitter.com/xQtanW71fW

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2025

This daring operation succeeded in evacuating two injured women, who were immediately transported to the District Hospital. However, the situation remained grave. One of the rescued women later succumbed to her injuries while receiving medical treatment. The other survivor is reported to be in a critical condition, fighting for her life.

Search operations for the three missing individuals are ongoing, with teams combing through debris and along riverbanks. Authorities have reportedly cautioned that persistent rainfall in the region continues to pose a serious risk, potentially hampering rescue efforts and increasing the danger for responders on the ground. The community and security forces remain engaged in the difficult task of locating those still unaccounted for.

(With inputs from ANI)