Recurring landslides put Singlitam, Rimbisettlements at risk

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING, :Singlitam village, located above the rural settlement of Rimbi under Rimbi-Timbrong Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) in Yuksam-Tashiding constituency, is rapidly sinking due to recurring landslides, posing a growing threat to nearby rural settlements situated along and below the surrounding hill slopes.

Since August, landslides have been repeatedly reported in Singlitam and Rimbi, raising serious concerns among residents about the stability of the area. If the sliding continues unabated, a catastrophic situation cannot be ruled out, particularly for settlements located in vulnerable areas below and around the affected slopes.

The recurring landslides have also heightened concerns over the safety of residents and infrastructures in the region, especially during ongoing rainy season.

Not only Singlitam, but the rural settlement of Rimbi, lying just below Singlitam, is also facing a grave threat from possible flash floods and further landslides.

Continuous rainfall over the past couple of days has triggered recurring landslides in the area, leaving the already vulnerable hilly terrain around residential settlements at increasing risk of further sinking and collapse. The scale of the damage is significant, with a large portion of the affected hillside visible from several locations surrounding Darap Bazaar.

The landslides have also caused extensive damage to agricultural land. Several farmers have reportedly lost their cardamom plantations and other standing crops, resulting in substantial losses to their livelihoods.

Fortunately, no human casualties have been reported so far. Residents living in vulnerable areas had evacuated themselves to safer locations, anticipating the possible expansion of the landslides and the associated risks.

With rainfall continuing, residents remain concerned about further landslides, flash floods and possible damage to nearby settlements.

Following the massive landslide of August 15, nine vulnerable families from Singlitam, comprising more than 60 individuals, were evacuated to a relief camp set up by the Gyalshing district administration, where necessary facilities were provided.

After August 23, when the rainfall subsided, some of the families shifted to safer locations in neighbouring areas around Singlitam. Meanwhile, two families residing near Rimbi Bazar were also relocated to safer places after landslides recently triggered the threat of flash floods in the vicinity of their residences.

Rimbi-Khecheperi road was also blocked a couple of days ago following landslides triggered by a flash flood at Rimbi. However, vehicular movement was restored after two days of continuous efforts by the concerned department.

An affected resident of Singlitam, Phurgay Bhutia, said that his house, located adjacent to the landslide-affected area, is at risk of being swept away. He said that he and his family members abandoned the house, taking essential documents with them, following the massive landslide on August 15 and an alert raised by residents of nearby Darap village.

Bhutia claimed that the landslides may have been triggered by MitKhola, a streamlet that flows through the nearby hillside. “The landslides have caused extensive damage. Adup Lepcha and Yangdup Lepcha have lost their land, while several farmers have lost their cardamom and broom grass fields,” he said.

Another affected resident, Dambar Bahadur Chettri, said that the affected families had been advised by the district administration to remain in safer locations until the rainy season subsides.

According to Chettri, minister and area MLA Tshering T. Bhutia, along with officials from Gyalshing district administration, have assured the affected families of necessary rehabilitation through government housing schemes on government-owned land.

“Rehabilitation of the affected families on government-owned land through housing schemes has been assured. We are thankful to the district administration for taking prompt action during the emergency triggered by the landslides,” Chettri said.

The ex-gratias to the affected families have been provided by Gyalshingdistrict administration according to loss and damages caused in the natural calamities.

Gyalshing DCTenzing D. Denzongpa said that the district administration is closely monitoring the situation and is well prepared to deal with any emergency. He maintained that the affected residents were promptly shifted to a relief camp, where necessary facilities have been ensured. Denzongpa has also directed the concerned panchayat member of Rimbi-Singlitam GPU to submit a list of additional relief materials required by the affected families.

On the feasibility of curtailing the ever-expanding landslides that have endangered the entire Rimbi-Singlitam area, Denzongpa informed that a Detailed Project Report (DPR), estimated at around Rs. 2 crore, has been prepared by the Irrigation department for the construction of protective walls along MitKhola above Rimbi Road. The DPR has been forwarded to the higher authorities for approval.

Responding to queries regarding the restoration of the damaged section of Rimbi Road, Denzongpa said that a DPR had been sought from the Roads and Bridges department, but the same had not yet been submitted to his office.

When contacted, the divisional engineer of Roads and Bridges department said that the DPR for the restoration project is currently being prepared and would be submitted shortly. He further informed that construction of a protective wall along the damaged section of the road, along with stairs, would be incorporated into the project.

Informing about the resettlement of families affected by the landslides, Denzongpa said that the district administration plans to initiate their resettlement through a housing scheme.

He further informed that discussions are underway to establish a government housing project on land owned by the Power department, subject to the necessary clearances from the concerned department.

“The district administration has considered resettling the landslide-affected families on land owned by the State government through a housing project. We have been informed that land owned by the Power department is available. However, we need to obtain clearance from the concerned department before initiating the project. A detailed report in this regard has been sought from the YuksamSDM,” the district collector said.