Gangtok, Feb. 11 -- The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department on Tuesday briefed the media on the growing water crisis affecting the region, attributing the situation to an unusually harsh winter and a sharp decline in rainfall.

The press conference was led by PCE-cum-Secretary of PHE, Shailendra Sharma, in the presence of Chief Engineer Pema Donka, Additional Chief Engineer Sonam C. Lepcha, Superintending Engineer Yeshey Dorjee, Divisional Engineer Pushpa Sharma, and Assistant Engineer Archana Lama.

Addressing reporters, Sharma explained that the prolonged dry spell and inadequate precipitation have significantly reduced the recharge of natural water sources. He noted that climate change and global warming have contributed to the ...