Full Breakdown
Major Landslides Threaten to Render Rimbi Village Uninhabitable
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Core Event: Flash Floods and Landslides Damage Rimbi
On the night of September 24, 2026, heavy monsoon rain triggered a massive landslide in the Singlitam-Rimbi belt of Gyalshing district, West Sikkim. The slide sent mud, rocks and debris downhill, destroying or extensively damaging more than 30 houses and four government quarters. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The disaster forced the evacuation of residents, with 107 people shifted to a relief camp at the Gram Prasasan Kendra and additional families moved to the Rimbi Panchayat Bhawan.
Background & Context
The Rimbi landslide follows a series of slope failures that began in August 2023 and intensified after August 13, when two houses were first affected, rising to 30 the next day. A larger event on August 14 destabilised the Singlitam hill, and recurring mudslides have continued since September 12, carrying large boulders down the village. The steep slopes have been sliding for weeks, raising concerns about permanent uninhabitability.
Data & Statistics
- 32 houses and four government quarters damaged.
- 107 people accommodated in the Gram Prasasan Kendra relief camp.
- 224.6 mm of rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, the highest in the state.
- INR1.3 lakh compensation promised to families whose houses were completely destroyed.
- 28 houses (128 people) evacuated on September 14 as a precaution.
- Multi-agency damage-assessment team inspected the area on September 23-24.
Official Statements & Responses
Disaster Relief Commissioner Rinzing Chewang said the repeated slides have raised serious safety concerns and that a geological survey will be conducted after the monsoon. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang described the situation as “serious” and emphasized that resident safety remains the government’s top priority. The state announced compensation of INR1.3 lakh per destroyed house and pledged land-and-housing assistance under the Sikkim Housing Scheme.
District officials have placed tarpaulins over vulnerable zones, cleared blocked roads, and urged residents to avoid active landslide areas and report any signs of slope movement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Rimbi may be uninhabitable after the recurring landslides from Singlitam. We have shifted the locals to the Gram Prasasan Kendra, with 107 people currently accommodated at the relief camp.” — Rinzing Chewang
- “The situation remains serious, and the safety and well-being of the people continue to be our foremost priority,” — Prem Singh Tamang
On-the-Ground Reports
Resident Sonam described the event as “unimaginable,” noting that the entire slope gave way and a blocked stream redirected a massive load of mud and boulders toward the village, sweeping away the residential colony of the Rimbi hydropower project.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact count of damaged houses: NDTV cites 32 houses, while other outlets report more than 30. All agree that no casualties occurred and that 107 people remain in the relief camp. No public data are available on the long-term stability of the Singlitam slope or the timeline for the promised geological survey.
What’s Next
State authorities will conduct a detailed geological survey after the monsoon season to assess causes and inform mitigation measures. Compensation payments and housing assistance are slated to begin once damage assessments are finalized. High-alert monitoring and road-clearing operations will continue throughout the remainder of the monsoon period.