This was the first snowfall of the season on Monday in the higher regions of Uttarakhand, and this signified the advent of winter in the hill state. Famous pilgrimage places, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib were covered in fresh snow, which made the region one of the most beautiful white landscapes. A cold wave has also been caused by the sudden shift in weather in the Garhwal Himalayas and the surrounding districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that an active western disturbance that was crossing over north India resulted in extensive rain and snowfall in the high altitudes of the Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts. Heavy and moderate snow fell in the areas above 4,000 metres, and the lower hills, such as Joshimath, Gaurikund, and Sonprayag, received occasional rain and a severe reduction in temperature.
The temple grounds and the nearby mountains were deep under snow in Kedarnath Dham, and this made a breathtaking view for the devotees. Their first snow of the season was also experienced in the Badrinath Temple and Hemkund Sahib, which are located at higher altitudes. Even pilgrims coming to pay their respects at these holy shrines could be observed seeking refuge from the cold winds as mercury dropped close to the freezing point.
The Chamoli and Rudraprayag district administrations have issued warnings to be cautious when ascending to the higher areas in order to reach their pilgrims and tourists. Snow has made roads in some areas of Mana, Govindghat, and Sonprayag hazardous, and the Border Roads Organization (BRO) is on high alert to clear any possible obstruction created by the weather.
There is also a danger of landslides as well as decreased visibility, which the local authorities have cautioned people against taking unnecessary journeys. Disaster management teams have been put on standby to respond to any crisis in affected areas.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for the next two days, and it predicts that there will be further precipitation of rain and snow in the upper Himalaya region. There will be stability of the weather toward the end of the week, but cold conditions are likely to continue in the plains, such as Dehradun and Haridwar.
This is the first snow of the season, which has caused inconvenience in terms of travelling, but has delighted both the locals and the tourists. The picturesque reconstruction of the Char Dham shrines has drawn the attention of photographers and tourists, as they get to have a picture of the Himalayan winter beauty. To the residents, though, the fact that cold has arrived early has led to a long and cold season ahead.
