Water Security: Assessing Water Resources and Backup Strategies for the Lean Period in Darjeeling Municipality, India

Background: Darjeeling Municipality, located in the Easter Himalayas is facing a growing water crisis despite receiving and annual rainfall of 2812 mm. The steep terrain, ageing water infrastructure, growing population and seasonal variation in water availability have intensified the challenges of securing sufficient water supplies mainly during the lean season. The qualitative methodological study explores the present status of water resources and examines backup initiatives implemented to address seasonal water scarcity. Through the field survey, interviews and municipal data, the research highlights critical limitation in the system, such as inadequate storage, leakage and dependency on ecologically sensitive zones. The study also evaluates alternative water sources and infrastructure initiatives including the Sindhap Lake, Rambi Catchment, Balasun River Project and the AMRUT scheme. These project provide crucial support, they often face operational, structural and administrative challenges that limit their full potential. The findings underline the urgent need for integrated water resource management, improved governance and adaptive infrastructure to ensure long term water security in Darjeeling Municipality