7-year-old rescued from landslide debris that claimed 3 lives in Sikkim, India

A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall hit Upper Rimbi, Yangthang constituency, West Sikkim, in the early hours of September 12.

It killed at least three members of a family whose house was buried by the landslide. According to police, the victims—a 53-year-old man, his 46-year-old sister, and his 50-year-old son-in-law—died on the spot.

Fortunately, the 7-year-old granddaughter was rescued by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and is safe.

Two other women were rescued from the debris and taken to District Hospital in Geyzing. One of them later died from her injuries, while the other remains in critical condition.

Three others remain missing as search and rescue operations continue in the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued orange and yellow alerts for heavy rainfall in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, forecasting isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Sikkim from September 12 to 15.

The rugged terrain and severe weather continue to hamper rescue efforts, and flooding has rendered normal routes unusable.

Rescue teams comprising Sikkim Police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and local villagers continue to search the affected area for the three missing persons.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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