Storm, Rainfall, Hailstorm Disrupt Life in Parts of Sikkim; One Dead, Three Injured

GANGTOK–  Several parts of Sikkim were hit by a sudden and intense spell of severe weather on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026, as strong winds, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms swept through the region, causing significant disruption to normal life and resulting in casualties and injuries.

A tragic incident occurred in Rakdong Kafer under the Tumin-Lingi Constituency, where a 55-year-old woman, Kala Devi Chettri, was killed after a tree uprooted by powerful gusts fell on her, striking her fatally on the head. Authorities from Gangtok District Police confirmed the death, attributing it directly to the thunderstorm and heavy rainfall.

In a separate accident in Pakyong district, a large tree collapsed onto a passenger vehicle at Chota Singtam near Assam Linzey under the Namcheybong Constituency amid the fierce winds and rain. Three occupants sustained injuries and were quickly rescued by local residents, who rushed them to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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Multiple locations across Sikkim, including Gangtok, reported fallen and uprooted trees blocking roads such as the Ranipool–Gangtok Highway, Mayfair, Deorali near Ramada Hotel, ICAR Road, Secretariat Gate, Enchey Gompa Road, and Mintokgang Gate No. 6.

These incidents led to temporary road blockages, difficult travel conditions, and power outages in affected areas. Authorities have initiated clearance operations and damage assessments.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Gangtok issued a special weather bulletin and a yellow warning for all districts of Sikkim, forecasting continued heavy rainfall, thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds, and possible hail through March 17, 2026.

The adverse conditions are linked to a fresh Western Disturbance combined with moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.

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Light to moderate rain is expected in districts including Gangtok, Namchi, Gyalshing, and Soreng, while higher-altitude areas in Mangan and Pakyong may see rainfall accompanied by snowfall.

Gangtok has faced heavy downpours since the afternoon, escalating into stormy winds by evening.

Residents, commuters, and tourists have been urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated via official IMD and local authority advisories. The sudden weather shift follows earlier dry spells in the state, making the intense storm particularly disruptive.

This is a developing situation, with more updates expected as clearance efforts continue and weather conditions evolve.