Sikkim witnessed an unprecedented heatwave this month, with the capital city Gangtok recording a temperature of 26.8°C, marking the hottest September since records began in 1969, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The previous record was 27.1°C in 1998.
IMD Gangtok head, Gopinath Raha, revealed that temperatures in the state have consistently been 3-6 degrees above normal throughout the month. “This is the highest September temperature we’ve ever recorded, with a mean of 24°C for the month,” Raha stated.
Gangtok has experienced 11 days with temperatures exceeding 25°C, with Tadong reaching a scorching 33.1°C on September 21. The heatwave extended to Darjeeling, which recorded 28.2°C on the same day.
However, a drop in temperature and potential rain is forecast for September 24, providing much-needed relief after the prolonged heatwave.
