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Gangtok Cuts Municipal Water Delivery to Once Daily as Winter Drought Deepens

A rainless winter has slashed Sikkim’s source flows by about 50–60%, triggering trials to ration distribution across the capital.

Overview

  • Public Health and Engineering Department engineers are running trial schedules to set zone-wise timings, with full implementation to follow once finalized.
  • Officials report statewide source discharges down roughly 50–60% compared with September, with Ratey Chu flow about 60% lower.
  • Authorities will not divert the entire Ratey Chu flow to the city to protect the aquatic ecosystem despite the shortages.
  • Residents are urged to conserve water and install float valves, with warnings of strict action for wastage under the Sikkim Water Supply and Water Charges Act, 2025.
  • Gangtok last recorded rainfall on November 23, 2025, and several districts logged near-100% deficits in January–February, with risks flagged for March–April; an ADB-funded Bhusuk khola project is moving to tender in March.