Prolonged dry spell cripples agriculture, water supply in West Sikkim

GANTOK, :West Sikkim is grappling with a severe rain deficit over the past several months, leaving the region parched and triggering concerns over declining agricultural output and a deepening drinking water crisis.

The prolonged dry spell has adversely affected standing crops and seasonal cultivation in the district, regarded as one of Sikkim’s major vegetable-producing regions. Farmers said inadequate rainfall has posed serious challenges to agricultural productivity, with crop yields expected to decline drastically if the situation persists.

Seasonal crops, particularly potatoes and peas, have been the worst hit. Farmers in the upper reaches of the district, including Okhrey and adjoining areas, said the lack of rainfall has slowed crop growth during critical stages prior to flowering.

A farmer from Okhrey said he relies heavily on rainwater for irrigation as irrigation facilities in the region remain inadequate. He expressed concern over a sharp drop in yield this year due to insufficient rainfall.

Several farmers alleged that despite the State government’s emphasis on agriculture through various farmer-centric schemes, irrigation infrastructure in many parts of West Sikkim remains underdeveloped.

“Without proper irrigation systems in place, the agricultural sector is unlikely to thrive,” a farmer said.

Some elderly residents described the ongoing dry spell as unprecedented. Ran Bahadur Limboo, a farmer, said, “We have never experienced such a prolonged spell of rainfall deficit before, and it is indeed a serious matter of concern. If the dry spell continues, the water crisis will worsen further. We fear the possible emergence of a worse situation, as the lack of rain will cripple crop production and disrupt drinking water supply.”

Many famers engaged in livestock farming expressed that the dry season has withered green pastures and added that scant rainfall has stalled the regrowth of grass, leading to fodder shortages. They informed that the post-dry season grass regeneration period typically commences in the last week of January and early February, but deficient rainfall has impeded the process this year. “Everything seems dried up. No greener pastures for cattle grazing. Sometime, have to foray deep down into the forest for collecting fodder for our animals,” said a farmer. “With no green pastures left for grazing, we often have to venture deep into the forest to collect fodder for our cattle,” a farmer said.

Farmers engaged in small-scale animal husbandry, reliant on resources available within their villages and without access to nearby forested areas, are encountering significant challenges in availing fodder for their livestock.

Meanwhile, several villages and urban residential areas of West Sikkim have been grappling with a drinking water crisis as the prolonged dry spell has led to a significant decline in water levels at natural sources, resulting in reduced supply of water to residential areas.

Residents of Geyzing Bazar shared that the volume of water supplied to households has decreased, making it increasingly difficult to manage daily needs of drinking water. “The amount of water we receive from the PHE department has reduced nowadays,” said a resident, adding that the situation may worsen considering the ongoing dry season.

Similarly, some households inByadung and Upper Kyongsa, who are not covered under the departmental water supply and dependent on private water sources, have been facing considerable hardship due to depletion of water levels at the sources and plummeted drinking water supply. Many households have to wait for their turn to collect water from private supply lines due to inadequate supply.

The worst-affected rural areas are Berfok–Chandrabung and Yangsum GPUs under Geyzing-Bermiok constituency in West Sikkim. According to local residents, Tatopani-Taklak ward under Berfok - Chandrabung GPU and Yangsum-Mangshil ward of Yangsum GPU have been reeling under an acute shortage of drinking water since many months.

Nearly 500 households in Yangsum GPU are facing severe hardship, as the water supplied from the distant source of Siribadan remains inadequate and there are no nearby alternative sources. Similarly, many households in Berfok-Chandrabung GPU, particularly in Tatopani-Taklak ward, are struggling due to insufficient supply from private local water sources, which fail to meet the growing demand of drinking water.

Residents stated that both GPUs have been facing drinking water problems for several years, with no concrete or long-term measures taken to address the issue. If the dry season persists, the crisis in these areas is likely to worsen further.