90 million litres of glacier water every day: How Ladakh is reviving 1,000 acres of farmland

In a major push towards water conservation and agricultural revival, the Ladakh administration has begun diverting nearly 90 million litres of glacier-melt water every day into the Igoo-Phey Irrigation Canal, with the additional supply expected to support irrigation across more than 1,000 acres of land and benefit nearly 12 villages.

The water, flowing from the Stok village Nallah in Leh, had earlier been flowing unused into the Indus River. The administration has now channelised a portion of the flow into the existing irrigation network through simple earthwork, without any capital expenditure, according to an official quoted by The New Indian Express.

Glacier water channelised for agriculture

The initiative was undertaken following directions from Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who identified locations where substantial quantities of glacier and snowmelt water were flowing towards the Indus without being used for agriculture.

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According to the administration, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department on August 14 created two trenches using a JCB to divert excess water from the main channel of Stok Nallah towards the Igoo-Phey Canal.

The discharge from Stok Nallah was assessed at approximately 36.60 cusecs, equivalent to nearly 90 million litres over 24 hours. Of this, around 26 cusecs has been diverted towards the canal — 19 cusecs for Igoo village and seven cusecs for Phey village. Planning is also underway to utilise the remaining 10 cusecs.

Canal water supply to rise from 50 to nearly 80 cusecs

The 43-km-long Igoo-Phey Canal, constructed between 1979 and 2005, has historically suffered from inadequate water supply. In some stretches, the canal had become defunct despite the availability of water sources in the region.

The latest diversion is expected to increase the canal's water flow from around 50 cusecs to nearly 80 cusecs, significantly improving water availability for farmers.

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“By intercepting and utilising this daily flow of 90 million litres, the administration has proven the feasibility of large-scale water diversion to bolster the region's cold desert agriculture,” an official said, according to The New Indian Express.

The official added that the additional supply would allow water to be provided daily to all 12 villages instead of being distributed according to a roster because of limited availability.

Over 1,000 acres expected to benefit

The increased water availability is expected to expand irrigation across more than 1,000 acres of land that has remained parched due to insufficient canal water.

The administration expects the intervention to improve agricultural productivity, increase crop yields and farm incomes, and generate more employment opportunities in the rural economy.

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Ladakh's cold-desert geography makes water availability a critical factor for agriculture. While the region has substantial glacier and snowmelt resources, several agricultural areas have historically struggled with irrigation shortages.

LG Saxena calls it a model for Ladakh

Saxena described the initiative as evidence that large-scale water management could be achieved through relatively simple and cost-effective interventions.

“This is a monumental step toward our vision of a Green, Water-Secure and Self-Sustaining Ladakh,” Saxena said, according to The New Indian Express.

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He also said the model could be expanded across the Union Territory to convert scattered glacier flows into a reliable source of water for agriculture.

The administration said it plans to explore similar interventions elsewhere in Ladakh, with the broader objective of improving water security, strengthening agriculture and building greater resilience in the region.