Landslides Hit Two Areas of West Sikkim, SSB Rescues Residents

Landslides struck Karmatar and Upper Bullung areas of West Sikkim, prompting the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to launch a rescue operation and evacuate residents from a vulnerable area, officials said on Tuesday.

A landslide occurred beneath a local school in Karmatar village at around 10.20 am on Monday. The movement of earth was noticed by personnel stationed at the SSB's 'G' Company post at Intake, following which a disaster rescue team was immediately mobilised to assess the situation and assist people in the affected area.

Officials said there were no casualties or injuries in the incident.

As a precautionary measure, the SSB team, working in coordination with the civil administration and local residents, evacuated people from a residential house located directly above the landslide zone. The move was aimed at preventing any risk to residents in case of further soil movement.

Meanwhile, another landslide was reported at Upper Bullung after local residents alerted the SSB. The landslide caused a substantial amount of debris to spill onto a road, blocking vehicular traffic in the area.

The SSB company commander and the sub-divisional magistrate visited the affected site and reviewed the situation. Officials said that while the road continues to remain blocked to vehicular movement, there have been no reports of casualties or damage to property.

Authorities have requisitioned heavy earth-moving machinery to remove the accumulated debris and restore traffic movement along the affected stretch.

The incidents come amid concerns over landslide risks in Sikkim's mountainous terrain, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Authorities and security personnel remain on alert to respond to any further incidents and ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable locations.