Sikkim, particularly North Sikkim, typically receives more winter and pre-monsoon precipitation than Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. This is largely due to western disturbances that the reach higher latitudes, bypassing Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
However, this year, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts also experienced an unusual lack of significant pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity. The absence of moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal contributed to this anomaly.
The resulting dry weather in the lower latitudes has led to severe water shortages in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, coinciding with peak tourist season. Furthermore, the dry conditions have caused numerous forest fires along the Teesta Valley, generating pollution and haze due to smoke.
Drone image of a forest fire in the Teesta Valley (in Sikkim, NE of Melli town) on 04Apr2025 at 9.20pm. These fires are a daily happening all along the valley where tinder dry vegetation catches fire or is set on fire.
The reason why we have not published rainfall data after Oct2024 is that in the ensuing drought like condition, there was absolutely no rainfall and as such no data to publish. Unfortunately, this is becoming the trend in our precipitation pattern.
Praful Rao
SaveTheHills
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744
However, this year, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts also experienced an unusual lack of significant pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity. The absence of moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal contributed to this anomaly.
The resulting dry weather in the lower latitudes has led to severe water shortages in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, coinciding with peak tourist season. Furthermore, the dry conditions have caused numerous forest fires along the Teesta Valley, generating pollution and haze due to smoke.
The reason why we have not published rainfall data after Oct2024 is that in the ensuing drought like condition, there was absolutely no rainfall and as such no data to publish. Unfortunately, this is becoming the trend in our precipitation pattern.
Praful Rao
SaveTheHills
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744
