Kalimpong Water Crisis: Why Are Thousands Still Struggling for Water?

Kalimpong’s water crisis has once again brought the town’s water supply system under scrutiny. On November 2, 2026, residents took to the streets, demanding the immediate restoration of drinking water supply. In some areas, people reportedly went for around 11 days without regular water, while low pressure and ageing pipelines continued to affect distribution. But this crisis is not new. Earlier reports highlighted a major gap between Kalimpong’s estimated daily water requirement and the amount of water being supplied to the town. With a growing population, ageing infrastructure, leaking pipelines and pressure on existing water sources, the question is bigger than just a temporary shortage. In this video, we look at what is really behind Kalimpong’s water crisis — from the Neora Khola and Relli-Thukchuk pipelines to the proposed infrastructure upgrades and the AMRUT 2.0 water project. We also look at the questions residents are asking: When will regular water supply return? How far have the announced projects progressed? And what will it take to ensure that every household gets reliable access to water? Because water is not a luxury. It is a basic necessity. #Kalimpong #KalimpongWaterCrisis #WaterCrisis #DarjeelingHills #NorthBengal #TheCord #KalimpongNews