Residents of Rimbi village in West Sikkim returned to their damaged homes on Sunday to clear mud and debris after days of incessant rain triggered landslides, mudslides and flash floods. Although the weather briefly improved, officials warned that the village remained unsafe and residents might have to be relocated because of the persistent threat from vulnerable Singlitam hill above it.
Several homes, roads and public infrastructure were damaged, forcing residents to seek shelter in relief camps or with relatives. As conditions improved, families returned to inspect their properties, remove flood deposits and begin restoration work. Local NGOs, social groups, volunteers and government agencies joined the cleanup effort.
Rimbi panchayat member Mingwang Limboo said debris removal had begun in residential areas, but the village was still considered uninhabitable. Unpredictable weather and the continuing risk of landslides and flash flows from Singlitam prevented residents from safely moving back permanently.
Relief Commissioner Rinzing Chewang Bhutia and area MLA-cum-minister T. T. Bhutia assessed the disaster-hit village and indicated that Rimbi might no longer be suitable for long-term habitation. Bhutia said a proposed Rs 2-crore protective project by the Irrigation Department would not be enough to address the scale of the threat and that a comprehensive mitigation plan was needed.
The state government is considering rehabilitating affected families through housing schemes on their own land, where available, or on nearby land belonging to the Power Department. Authorities have also assured residents that they will be housed in rented premises, with the government covering the rent until rehabilitation is completed.
For many residents, however, relocation means leaving behind homes and ancestral ties that span generations. “Relocating and rebuilding our lives elsewhere will undoubtedly take an emotional toll on the villagers,” one resident said. Another resident questioned whether families would be able to celebrate Dashain at home or accommodate visitors after the disaster.
While government agencies continue disaster-response work, the future of Rimbi remains uncertain. Residents are seeking lasting protection rather than another temporary evacuation, while the state government weighs whether the village can be made safe or whether permanent resettlement is necessary.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/rimbi-residents-clear-debris-as-weather-improves
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