Gangtok, July 20: South Sikkim is grappling with a critical shortage of essential food supplies as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in Jorethang is almost empty.

The godown, which supplies rice to the districts of Namchi, Geyzing, and Soreng, has received substantially less food than required, raising concerns about food security in the region.

The Jorethang godown is responsible for distributing food to six godowns in the Namchi district and fourteen in West Sikkim. Typically, the FCI supplies 15,352 quintals of rice to these areas. However, as of mid-July, only 8,548 quintals have been received, leaving a shortfall of 6,804 quintals. This situation has resulted in an almost empty godown, which violates the National Food Security Act, according to officials.

“FCI godowns should have enough food stock for a month, but the godown in Jorethang is almost empty,” said an official from the State Food and Civil Supplies Department.

The supply chain disruption is primarily due to the closure of National Highway 10, which has been closed for the past 19 days due to heavy monsoon rains and the rising Teesta River. This highway is crucial for transporting supplies from the FCI godown in Siliguri, West Bengal, to Jorethang.

Truck drivers, who are essential in maintaining the supply chain, have reported a significant reduction in their workload. “We usually make daily trips, but in July, we’ve only worked once or twice,” said one driver. Only seven truckloads of rice were delivered to the Jorethang godown for July, with just three trucks arriving by July 19.

The impact of this shortage is dire for the three districts, which still require 68 more truckloads of rice to meet their August needs. “It is difficult to get it on time due to the low quantity of supply vehicles coming to the Jorethang godown this month,” a source from the State Food and Civil Supplies Department revealed.

“This shortage is a stark reminder of the fragility of essential supply chains and the critical need for resilient infrastructure to support the region’s food security,” an expert said.

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