Gangtok: Sikkim has endured an extended dry spell of nearly two months after the last significant rainfall of 8.5 mm was recorded on November 23, 2025. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), no measurable rainfall occurred again until February 23, 2026, when only 0.4 mm was recorded till 8:30 am.
The prolonged gap between these two events reflects drought-like conditions during the peak winter season.
December 2025 was completely dry across Sikkim, with 0.0 mm rainfall recorded statewide, marking a 100 percent deficiency for the month. Officials confirmed that no measurable precipitation was received in December, setting the stage for an exceptionally dry winter.
As per meteorological classification, January and February constitute the winter season. From January 1 to February 23, 2026, Sikkim recorded a total rainfall of just 7.4 mm against the normal seasonal average of 83.2 mm, resulting in a massive 91 percent deficiency.
In Gangtok district, rainfall events during this period were sparse and weak. Besides the 0.4 mm recorded on February 23, earlier events included 2.2 mm and 8.4 mm on separate dates in February. However, these isolated showers were insufficient to significantly reduce the cumulative seasonal deficit.
Comparative data from previous years highlights the severity of the situation. In winter 2025, the state recorded 47.5 percent excess rainfall over normal. Winter 2024 saw an 18 percent deficit, while winter 2022 recorded a 12.5 percent shortfall.
In 2023, Sikkim received 101.5 mm rainfall during the winter season, which was near normal. In 2024, total winter rainfall stood at 83.1 mm, also close to normal. Against this backdrop, the 7.4 mm recorded so far in 2026 marks one of the sharpest seasonal declines in recent years.
Western Disturbances Missed Sikkim
Explaining the cause, Somnath Mandal, Meteorologist at IMD Gangtok, said the altered trajectory of Western Disturbances was primarily responsible. He said most systems this season tracked along higher latitudes, bringing substantial rainfall and snowfall to regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and towards the Tibetan plateau.
Sikkim remained outside the main precipitation belt. With February nearing its end, Mandal added that the winter rainfall deficit is unlikely to be compensated.
The rainfall deficiency has also influenced temperature patterns across the state. In January 2026, the average maximum temperature was 16°C compared to the normal 12.4°C, marking a positive departure of 3.6°C. The average minimum temperature stood at 6.7°C against the normal 5.5°C.
In February, up to February 23, the average maximum temperature reached 17.8°C compared to the normal 14.2°C, while the average minimum stood at 9°C. For comparison, February 2025 recorded an average minimum of 7.7°C, indicating that this year’s minimum temperatures are nearly 2°C higher.
Extremes recorded during the season further illustrate the warming trend. The lowest temperature of the season was 5.2°C on January 7, while February’s lowest was 7.5°C on February 5. On the higher side, temperatures peaked at 18.5°C on January 17 and climbed to 20.9°C on February 18.
According to Mandal, the absence of sustained rainfall and reduced cloud cover contributed to both maximum and minimum temperatures remaining approximately two to three degrees Celsius above normal.
With the meteorological winter season concluding on February 28, Sikkim is set to close one of its driest winters in recent years, defined by a two-month dry spell in Gangtok, a rainless December, a 91 percent January–February deficit, and persistently above-normal temperatures across the state.
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