An intense monsoon has triggered heavy rainfall and multiple landslides in the region, forcing locals to move to safer locations. At least 32 houses, four government quarters and several small, wooden and semi-pucca structures have been damaged due to flash floods and recurring landslides in Rimbi village in West Sikkim, which the state government is likely to declare ‘uninhabitable’.
He further said that Rimbi was no longer considered habitable, including areas with RCC structures, adding that “a geological survey will be conducted after the monsoon to study the landslide and its causes through a multidisciplinary assessment involving various departments”.
The crisis has been building since August this year, as the steep slopes of Singlitam have continued to slide downhill, threatening settlements below. With hill slopes continuing to destabilise and rainfall showing little sign of easing, residents fear another spell of heavy rain could trigger further destruction. Only two houses were affected on August 13, which increased to 30 the next day following a major spell of rainfall.
