rainfall areas

Climate of Sikkim

• The Climate of Sikkim is extremely varied largely due to variation in altitude.
• It has the Himalayan or high mountain type of climate.
• Altitude is the most important factor controlling the climate and weather condition here.
• Relief features such as high mountains act as the barriers for the movements of monsoon winds.
• Low temperature, high rainfall on windward slopes, comparatively dry on the leeward side and heavy precipitation in the form of snow at the mountain top are the main features of the Climate of Sikkim.
• Due to great variation in sharp edged mountains throughout the state, there is large variation in rainfall and temperature.
• The Himalayas act as barrier to monsoon winds forcing them to ascend thereby causing orographic rainfall and snow fall.
• The Himalayas also act as barrier to the flow of cold winds from Central Asia, resulting heavy snowfall on the mountain tops and higher elevations and dry winter season at lower elevation located at the leeward side.
• The monsoon winds dominate the Climate of Sikkim.
• There is seasonal reversal of winds almost throughout the Climate of Sikkim.
• The monsoon imposes the seasonal rhythm which is apparent in the activities of the people since most of them are agriculturists.
• The following four seasons are prevalent on the basis of the monsoon circulation over the state.

1. The cold weather season – December to February
2. The spring weather season – March to May
3. The south-west monsoon – June to September
4. The period of retreating monsoon – October to November

 

 

Rainfall and temperature of Climate of Sikkim

• The mean annual rainfall varies from 2000 mm. to 4000 mm. with intensity of rain from drizzling showers in lower altitude to torrential rains in higher altitude.
• There are two maximum rainfall areas (i) South-East region and (ii) South-West region.
• There is an area in the North-West region which gets very little rainfall.
• The greater part of rain fall is received during May to September.
• The annual rainfall of Sikkim is 2739 mm.
• The temperature varies with the altitude and slope aspect.
• The mean temperature in the lower altitudinal zone, it varies from 1.5 degree centigrade to 9.5 degree centigrade.
• The maximum temperature is usually recorded during July-August which varies from 21 Degree Celsius to 26 Degree Celsius and minimum during December-January between 6 Degree Celsius and 8 Degree Celsius.
• Fog is a common feature in the entire state from May to September.
• Biting cold is experienced at high altitude places in the winter months and snowfall is also not uncommon during this period.
• Climatic factors are entirely influenced by altitude.

S. No.	Station	Maximum Temperature (Degree Centigrade)	Minimum Temperature (Degree Centigrade)	Rainfall (millimeter)
1	Gangtok	18.8	12.7	3589.5
2	Mangan	25.5	15.3	3244.1
3	Mazitar	29.4	17.3	1620.2
4	Namthang	32.1	14.0	1972.0

 

 

 

 

Climatic types in Climate of Sikkim

1. Snow Peak Type:

• This climate conforms to altitude of 4001 meters or more above the mean sea level.
• The mountain peaks are mostly covered by snow. Precipitation is mainly through snowfall.
• Cultivable land is not available in this climatic type.
• Vegetation is mainly herbs or medicinal herbs.

 

2. Densely forested hill type:

• These climatic conditions are found between 2701 metres and 4000 metres above the mean sea level.
• The land has dense vegetation with tall trees and variety of rhododendron and primula flowers.
• It is mostly covered by snow during winter season and precipitation is through snow and heavy rainfall during summer.
• Winter is extremely cold. Potato and cabbage are cultivated during summer months at Thangu, Lachen and Lachung in North District.

 

3. Very high hill type:

• Such climatic conditions are associated with the height between 1701 metres and 2700 metres above the mean sea level.
• Snow fall is common during winter months, i.e. December to February and heavy rainfall during June-July.
• This climate is suitable for seed potato growing. Other alternative crops are temperate fruit plants cabbage, peas, radish and other vegetables.
• Soyabeans, high altitude maize and off season cabbage cultivation is common.
• Lachen, Lachung, Ravongla, Damthang, Phadamchen, Zuluk, Okhrey, Hilley, Bhareng and Ribdi are the important areas in this climatic type.

 

4. High hill type:

• The climate between 1501 metres and 1700 metres above the mean sea level falls under this category.
• Precipitation is mainly through rainfall.
• This is essentially a large cardamom growing belt.
• Other important crops of the zone are the maize, peas, millets, vegetables etc. Usually, this is essentially a dry weather with occasional drizzling in winter and heavy rainfalls in summer.

 

5. Mid hill type:

• Such climate is found between 881 metres and 1500 metres above the mean sea level.
• This is essentially an orange belt, most suited for cultivation of orange.
• Winters are cold and dry without any rain and summers with heavy rainfall.
• The other crops are the maize, paddy, oilseeds, pulses, large cardamom, ginger and vegetables etc.

 

6. Low hill type:

• The climate between 300 to 880 metres above the mean sea level may be called low hill type.
• This climate is essentially a sub-tropical type and suitable for cultivation of sub-tropical fruits such as banana, guava, lemon and lime etc.
• Most of the area is under paddy cultivation. Other important crops are maize, pulses, oilseeds, ginger and vegetables.
• The winters are dry and comparatively warm and the summer are hot and have comparatively less rainfall.
• Thus the Climate of Sikkim and the seasons of Sikkim state are suitable for growing varieties of crops which include not only cereals but also commercial crops.
• Paddy, maize, millets, pulses are the principal crops and large cardamom, potato, ginger and other horticultural crops are the cash crops.
• Orange is also a commercial fruits of Sikkim