Gyalshing, Sikkim: At least four people have been confirmed dead and three others are missing following a devastating landslide that struck Upper Rimbi in Gyalshing district around midnight, officials reported on Thursday.
According to Gyalshing Superintendent of Police Tshering Sherpa, three individuals were killed instantly when the landslide hit the area under the Yangthang constituency in West Sikkim.
Rescue efforts were swiftly launched by the police in coordination with local villagers and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel. A temporary log bridge was constructed over the flooded Hume River to access the affected site and evacuate two injured women. Both were rushed to the district hospital; however, one of them succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The other remains in critical condition.
“Four people have died and three are still missing,” confirmed SP Sherpa.
Elite Forces Conduct High-Altitude Diving Exercise in Sikkim
Earlier this week, a joint scuba and combat diving exercise was carried out by the Indian Army’s PARA (Special Forces) and the Indian Navy’s MARCOS (Marine Commandos) at a staggering altitude of 17,000 feet in Sikkim. The training took place between August 30 and September 5, according to a press release from Defence PRO.
The operation involved advanced underwater techniques including open-circuit air diving, closed-circuit pure oxygen diving, deep-water dives up to 17 metres, and night diving—all performed under extreme cold-water conditions and in rugged terrain.
The exercise highlighted the professionalism, endurance, and adaptability of India‘s elite forces. Conducted in a rarefied high-altitude environment, it pushed the limits of combat diving capability and reinforced operational readiness for future missions in unpredictable and challenging terrains.
“This training in such extreme conditions tests every facet of a soldier’s endurance, skill, and mental toughness,” said the Team Commander. “It ensures our teams are ready to operate in any environment, no matter how harsh or demanding. This exercise also exemplifies the spirit of jointmanship between our Services.”
Such operations are vital in sharpening combat readiness, fostering inter-service cooperation, and ensuring mission capability across a wide range of environments—from the high Himalayas to the deep seas.
