Sikkim's Gangtok to reel under cold temperatures, rainfall in early January

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that residents of Sikkim's Gangtok will experience a significant drop in temperatures and rainfall in the first week of January 2025.
 

January, traditionally the coldest month in this hilly region, is already witnessing night temperatures plummeting to 6°C and daytime highs of 8°C, marking a noticeable dip compared to previous years.
 

IMD Gangtok head, Gopinath Raha said that the region would see a shift in weather starting on the night of January 6, with light to moderate rainfall expected on January 7 and 8. This change is linked to recent snowfall in North Sikkim, which has intensified the chill across the state.
 

Sikkim’s weather this winter has been marked by record low average temperatures, the coldest since 2019. Moreover, Gangtok recently recorded a 24-day dry spell from December 8 to 31, the longest in recent history.
 

Raha further said that western disturbances might bring additional snowfall and rain in the coming weeks, potentially lowering temperatures further. The region's climate has also seen extremes this year, with June 2024 being the wettest month, recording a 66% increase in rainfall compared to the long-term average.