Archive · 16 Sep 2026
West Sikkim Evacuates 128 From Rimbi, 33 From Singlitam
Heavy rain caused floods and landslides in parts of West Sikkim.
Officials moved 128 people from 28 homes in Rimbi to a safer community building.
More than 33 people from seven families in Singlitam were also moved to a relief shelter.
Mud, rocks and water are flowing toward homes near a stream.
The Rimbi River changed direction and damaged the roadside.
A bridge and an important road were washed away, making travel difficult.
Minister Tshering T. Bhutia visited the area to inspect the damage.
Rescue workers also helped people near landslides in Karmatar and Upper Bullung.
Officials warned residents to avoid dangerous slopes and streams because more rain could cause further landslides.
Incessant rain, flooding and landslides prompted the evacuation of 128 people from 28 houses in Rimbi-Singlitam.
The Rimbi Gram Panchayat Kendra is sheltering the evacuated families, while more than 33 people from seven Singlitam households are in a relief centre.
Debris-filled water threatens Rimbi, the Rimbi River has changed course, and the RCC bridge has been washed away.
The road linking Melli, Khechuperi and Yuksom was completely damaged, with the government planning a Bailey bridge at a higher location.
Authorities and Sashastra Seema Bal personnel conducted assessments and rescue operations as more heavy rain was forecast.
- Who
- Residents of 28 houses in Rimbi, more than 33 people from seven Singlitam households, Tshering T. Bhutia, district officials, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and Sashastra Seema Bal personnel.
- What
- Heavy rain, flooding and landslides caused evacuations, damaged homes and roads, washed away a bridge and threatened further settlements.
- When
- The reports describe impacts beginning on September 12 or September 14, with major flooding and assessment on Monday and Bhutia’s inspection on Tuesday; the reports were published on Wednesday.
- Where
- Rimbi-Singlitam, Karmatar and Upper Bullung in Gyalshing district, West Sikkim; flooding also blocked the Lingdem-Lhaven road at Lyok Kyong in Upper Dzongu.
- Why
- Residents were moved because debris-filled water, flooding and expanding landslides threatened homes and could cause sudden releases of water and debris.
- Rimbi evacuation
- 128 people from 28 houses
- Singlitam shelter
- More than 33 people from seven households
- Primary evacuation site
- Rimbi Gram Panchayat Kendra
- Infrastructure damage
- The Rimbi RCC bridge was washed away and the Melli-Khechuperi-Yuksom road was completely damaged
- Planned connectivity measure
- A Bailey bridge is planned at a comparatively higher location
- Additional landslides
- Landslides affected Karmatar and Upper Bullung; no injuries were reported
- Weather warning
- Heavy rainfall was forecast across most of Sikkim over the following 48 hours
