Ladakh Channels 90M Litres of Glacier Water Daily to 12 Villages on August 22

Ladakh has redirected nearly 90 million litres of glacier meltwater daily from the Stok Nallah into the Igoo-Phey Irrigation Canal, bypassing the Indus River entirely. The diversion will supply water to approximately 12 villages and over 1,000 acres of farmland that previously faced chronic water shortages. Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena called this a major step toward agricultural stability in the cold desert region.

How the glacier water diversion works

The Stok Nallah in Leh carries roughly 90 million litres of glacier meltwater daily. Previously, this water flowed directly into the Indus River without being used for irrigation. Ladakh’s administration created simple earthwork channels to redirect the flow into the Igoo-Phey Irrigation Canal, a 43-kilometre-long system serving the region. The project required minimal capital expenditure and was completed on August 14, 2026.

Water supply increases for 12 villages

The canal’s flow increased from approximately 50 cusecs (cubic feet per second) to nearly 80 cusecs after the diversion began. This additional supply now reaches 12 villages daily, providing reliable irrigation to farmland that previously suffered from water rationing. Farmers no longer need to wait for their turn to receive water; the increased flow ensures consistent daily supply to all participating villages.

Agricultural and economic impact

The initiative will enable cultivation on previously unusable land and boost crop yields across the region. With more reliable water access, farmers can expand production and increase farm incomes. The diversion benefits over 1,000 acres of farmland in a region where rainfall is minimal and temperatures remain extremely cold, making water management a persistent challenge.

Model for broader water management

Lieutenant Governor Saxena described this initiative as a blueprint for large-scale water management across Ladakh’s cold desert. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised the effort, noting it demonstrates progress in environmental sustainability and stability. The administration plans to replicate this approach in other areas by channelling water from additional streams into irrigation systems.

Final Thoughts

Ladakh’s glacier meltwater diversion addresses a critical water shortage while requiring minimal infrastructure investment. The model demonstrates how natural water flows can be redirected to support agriculture and rural livelihoods in water-scarce regions. Expansion to other areas could significantly expand cultivation capacity across the territory.

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